How to Get Your Children Interested in Family History

Getting Them Started Early to Appreciate Family History

Part 3 – “Five More Tips” will be posted next week. Stay tuned!

How many times have I heard adults who are interested in their family’s history say, “My kids couldn’t care less about our family’s history”? Well, this concern isn’t new. Nearly 100 years ago, one Mennonite author wrote the following introduction to his book on the history of Lancaster County, PA. But he ends with a somewhat positive note–there is hope that your children and grandchildren may focus their curiosities historically as they move on through life. It may not be too late then, but they will likely have missed many opportunities to glean from family members whose memories and stories have died with them. So, the question is: How can we help children become interested in their family’s history and heritage before they miss those early opportunities to tap the family’s resources that will not be around when they really wish they were?

I encourage you to read the following 1931 paragraphs very thoughtfully. It’s good stuff.

The Childhood Seed of My Interest in Family History

My grandfather owned a copy of the History of White County (TN), written by Rev. Monroe Seals and published in 1935, after his death. White County was where I was born and grew up and where all of my paternal ancestors lived, going all the way back to Daniel Haston. For a long time when I was young, the book was lying on the coffee table in our house. I suppose my mother had borrowed it to read, although I never recall seeing her pick it up or open it. I occasionally picked the book up and browsed through it looking for Haston names. And, to my pleasant surprise, I found some, several in fact! As well as other family facts, I learned from my parents that my Great Grandfather had been a prominent landowner and farmer, as well as a political leader in the county. I had heard about his lay leadership in the Old Union Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but I never realized he was such an important man in our county in other ways. That piqued my interest, so I picked the book up frequently and read parts of it each time. Before long, I was fairly familiar with the history of our county, and some bits and pieces of my family's history. I even discovered that I was a descendant of David Haston, whom I later learned was the son of a man named "Daniel Haston." Those experiences with that book on our coffee table was the seed that eventually developed into a passion to know much more about my family roots. But, that seed was dormant for 40 years or more before it germinated and began to grow into what it was destined to be.

Wayne Haston

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Hastons – A Family of Early Tennessee Pioneers

The Daniel Haston Family - Pioneer Tennessee Settlers

More Than a Decade Before Tennessee Became a State

Daniel Haston was truly an American pioneer in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, East Tennessee, but even more so in what became Middle Tennessee--White County in particular.

Wayne Haston

Daniel Haston and his family were American pioneers, in the truest sense of the word. We can’t begin to imagine how tough it was to be a pioneer in the wild wilderness of western North Carolina (now eastern Tennessee), and later the Cherokee Indian hunting land of the Caney Fork River valley in the decades just before and after 1800.

Daniel’s Hiestand (Henry Hiestand) family was among the earliest European settlers in the Shenandoah Valley of northern Virginia. And, like his father, Daniel was driven by a pioneer spirit. In the early 1780’s, Daniel and his older brother Abraham settled near the town of Jonesborough (the oldest town in Tennessee), when it was still within the western wilderness of North Carolina. After about ten years there in Washington County, Daniel moved his family westward to the outskirts of the little village of Knoxville when there were just a few houses and stores in that pioneer settlement. That was only two or three years after Knoxville was founded. The little town that grew up around General James White’s Fort was a “Dodge City” kind of settlement–with a jail but no church building in its earliest years. Daniel’s family was living “south of the Holston (River), opposite Knoxville” when Tennessee became the 16th state in the USA on June 1, 1796. The Daniel Haston family was truly one of the “first families of Tennessee.”

Join First Families of Tennessee

If you can trace your lineage back to our Daniel Haston who was living in “Tennessee” before it became Tennessee, and prove it with documentation, you qualify to join the First Families of Tennessee.

The Third and Fourth Treaties of Tellico (between the United States and the Cherokee Indians), signed on October 25 and October 27, 1805, ceded to the United States the area between the Cumberland and Duck Rivers in what is now Middle Tennessee. So, prior to that time the territory west of the Cumberland Mountain Range where White and Van Buren Counties of Tennessee are now located belonged to the Cherokee.

Daniel Haston probably heard talk around Knoxville (then the capital of Tennessee) of a near-future treaty with the Cherokee Indians that would cede much of what we know as Middle Tennessee to the United States. Daniel probably thought it wise to make his move to get decent land in the wilderness west of the Cumberland Plateau before greedy land speculators gobbled up all of the prime land. So, even before the October 1805 Treaties of Tellico were signed, Daniel and his family were squatters at the head of the Big Spring Branch of Cane Creek, a few hundred yards before the creek emptied into the Caney Fork River of the trans-Cumberland Plateau wilderness, prime Cherokee, Shawnee, and Chickasaw Indian hunting territory at that time and for centuries earlier.

The yellow (57) section was ceded to the United States by the October 25, 1805 Tellico Treaty.

When the land became available for purchase, Daniel and some of his family and friends who moved with him could make preemption claims, based on occupant rights. These preemption occupant rights rewarded the former squatters for being there to help clear the way for white settlers who soon followed them.

When a petition was circulated in the summer of 1806 to create White County, TN–Daniel’s name was added to that petition, as well as three others in his Big Spring Branch settlement of Haston family members and some of their friends. They were some of the founders of White County, TN. And some of Daniel’s family members were founders of Van Buren County, TN in 1840.

Join First Families of White County

If you can document your genealogical connection to Daniel Haston of White County, TN, you can join the First Families of White County, TN.

Some of Daniel’s children and grandchildren later followed their own pioneering dreams and moved west in pursuit of land, more land, good land, good land-cheap. In many cases, wherever they went many of them were some of the first white settlers–in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, California, Washington state, and elsewhere.

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Duncan – Gary G.

1940 – 2023

Gary Gene Duncan

Rank and Branch of Military

E-3, United States Marine Corps

Years of Service

1958 – 1962

Locations of Training, Deployment, and Service

Camp Pendleton, & Barstow CA, Okinawa, Japan

Relationship to the Daniel Haston Family

Descended through Isaac Haston/Hastings – Son of Daniel Haston

Other Information About the Service Member's Haston or Haston-Related Ancestry

Isaac Hastings > Hartwell, Greene Hastings > Lucy Christina Hastings > Dorothy, Kathryn Wagner > Robert O. Duncan > Gary Gene Duncan

Person who submitted this information and relationship to the honored veteran:

Robert Owen Duncan, nephew of Gary Gene Duncan

Email address to the person who submitted this information:

Pilotpoper@aol.com

Family Photo Gallery

Add Yourself or Your Haston-Related Relative to the Legacy of Service Honor Gallery

Please share this tribute with family members of the veteran and your friends.

1923 Status – Counties of Tennessee

100 Years Ago - Status of Middle Tennessee Counties

Politically, Tennessee is divided into three Grand Divisions–East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee. The counties of East Tennessee are Anderston, Bledsoe, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Sullivan, Unico, Union, Washington–34.

The counties of Middle Tennessee are Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Davidson, DeKalb, Dickson, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Grundy, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, White, Williamson, Wilson–40.

The counties of West Tennessee are Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton, Weakley–21.

Here is a Sampling of Middle Tennessee Counties of Interest to Haston Descendants

White County

There are a couple of questionable assertions at the top of this article. (1) The May 1, 1806 petition to create White County was initiated by citizens of Jackson County, TN, which had been formed on November 6, 1801, out of Smith County. (2) There are reasons to believe that White County, TN was not named to honor John White.

Van Buren County

Someone, prior to 1840, from what is now the Spencer, TN area apparently created the oral tradition that the early longhunter Thomas “Big Foot” Sharp was killed by Indians on a hill where the town of Spencer was established. There is no reliable evidence to support that claim. But unfortunately, the tale has circulated widely, perhaps because some folks from Van Buren County have wanted to believe it and have not seriously studied the evidence. There is much better historical evidence to support the opinion that he was ambushed and killed by Indians near Crab Orchard, TN in what is now Cumberland County. In 1856 a bill was presented to the Tennessee General Assembly to change the name of the town of Spencer to Carnsville, but it was tabled and never acted upon.

Warren County

Bledsoe County

Sequatchie County

Putnam County

Cumberland County

DeKalb County

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3 – David Haston & Family in White County, TN

230-Plus Events in the Life of David Haston, Phase 3

Links will be activated one per week – Van Buren County Years will be activated soon.

David Haston and Family in White County, Tennessee
1806 After November 11	Move to White County, TN: David moved to White County, to join his father Daniel, his brother Joseph, his sisters Catherine [later, Austin] and Lucinda (Mitchell), and perhaps other family members, sometime between November 11, 1806, and February 10, 1808. He had already sold his land, so he may have left Knox County in November after he served as auctioneer for the Jacob Neff estate settlement. This timing is in harmony with a return trip from White County to the Knox County area that his brother, Joseph, may have made. Perhaps Joseph led David to the new Haston home place in White County. Daniel's wife (who was David's mother or stepmother) may have remained in Knox County until this time.
1808 February 10	Road Work Appointment in White County, TN: David was one of the men "...appointed to lay off and mark a road the nearest and best way from where the Chickamogga trace [ancient trail] crosses the White County line on Cumberland Mountain the nearest and best way that leads to Warren County line." This is the first known record of David in White County. Joseph Smith, Isaac Midcalf, David Haston, William Brown, Joseph Cummings, and Joseph H. Creely comprised this road crew. These men all lived in the same general area, along the Caney Fork River. Note: Joseph Haston married Sarah Creely. Source: Original page 41 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811.
1808 May 14 June 18, 1808ï»¿	David and Isham Bradley Chain Carriers: David and Isham were chain carriers for Jacob Mitchell's survey of 50 acres on the big spring branch of Cane Creek on May 14, 1808 and for Joseph Haston's survey of 50 acres on June 18, 1808. Source: Tennessee Land Records, RG (Records Group) 50, Box 112, pages 62 & 67.
1808 December 25	Fourth Child (Daniel MC.) Born:* Daniel Mc Haston married (1) Annie Green in 1827 (daughter of John & Rachel Mackey Green; John Green was an elder of the Big Fork Baptist Church) and (2) Martha Jane Wade on June 10, 1839. A published biographical sketch* of his son, J.P. Hastain, says that "In 1834 the family (i.e. Daniel MC's family) removed to Missouri, and first located in Henry County, being among the pioneer settlers there." A similar biographical sketch*** for another son of Daniel Mc. Hastain, P.D. (Pleasant Dawson) Hastain, also states that "Daniel M. Hastain was reared in Tennessee, but came to Missouri in 1834, locating in Henry County. He...became one of the large landowners of that section." This Daniel Hastain died on June 17, 1875 (or 1874 as per the P.D. Haston bio sketch) in Henry County, MO. In Missouri, the spelling of Haston was changed to Hastain. Sources: David Haston's Bible records; NSDAR record #108279. Page 1133 of History of St. Clair County Missouri (Published 1883 by the National Historical Company). Page 440 of Biographical Records of Johnson and Pettis Counties, Missouri (published in 1895 by Chapman Publishing Company of Chicago; F 472, JE P8 in Library of Congress) Notes: The Thomas J. Hastain, W.T. Hastain, & two Woodson A. Hastain biographical entries on the Henry County, MO RootsWeb.Ancestry.com site provide several interesting references to Daniel M. (or McC. or McCumskey) Hastain. Daniel MC Hasting appeared on the 1832 White County, TN tax list, apparently living near his father-in-law (John Green) in the Lost Creek area of upper Hickory Valley. He owned 50 aces. His name was clearly written as "Daniel MC." He also appeared on the 1833 & 1834 tax lists for the same area. Move to Henry County, MO* Rev. Henry Avery was the first white permanent settler in the area that became Henry County, MO. He married Elizabeth Green, daughter of John Green (Greene) of White County, TN. John Green was a minister of the Big Fork Baptist Church for many years. This means that Rev. Henry Avery and Daniel M.C. Haston (who later changed surname spelling to Hastain) married sisters, daughters of John Green. Shortly after Henry Avery settled in Henry County, MO, Daniel M.C. Haston apparently joined him. William M. Doyle (son of James H. Doyle who lived very near the Big Fork Baptist Church) also went to Henry County, MO with the Avery family. Rev. Henry Avery was a pioneer hero and cherished Baptist minister in early Henry County, MO. Source: Pages 492-496 of The History of Henry and St. Clair Counties, Missouri (St. Joseph, MO: National Historical Company, 1883). There are numerous other references to Rev. Henry Avery in this book. Settlement of (Rev.) John Green's Estate When Daniel MC Haston's father-in-law, John Green, died in the early 1850s, it appears that Daniel MC Haston traveled from Henri [Henry] County, MO (where he then lived) back to White County, TN to claim the inheritance for various heirs of John Green. These heirs were scattered in Missouri, California, & the Oregon Territory. These heirs were probably his (David MC Haston's) children. Primary Source: Recorded in "An Old Book in White County Courthouse--Powers of Attorney, Guardians, Etc." (as of 2003, the location of this book was unknown by White County, TN records guardians); Secondary Source: Frame #002129 of microfilm AC # 1421-3 of the Charles Leonard Papers from TSLA. The information is said to also be in the White County, TN Chancery Court records for 1854-1857. Daniel MC Haston/Hastain - Per Howard H. Hastingï»¿
1809 February 13	Grand Jury Duty: David was a member of "the Grand Jury empannelled and sworn for the County of White." Isham Bradley (bondsman for David's marriage in Knox County) was also a member of this jury. Source: Original page 80 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811ï»¿.
1809 February 15	Witnessed Isham Bradley Land Transaction: David Hastin, Joseph Hastin, Jacob Mitchell, and John Miller were witnesses for a sale of 50 acres that Isham Bradley made to Charles Mitchell for $400. The land was on the Big Spring Branch. Isham Bradley earlier acquired the land from the state of TN through Grant # 529. Source: Page 69 of Volume B of Deeds, White Co, TN.
1809 February 15	David Purchased Land in White County, TN: David purchased 50 acres of land from his brother Joseph for $200, on the same day that they both witnessed the Isham Bradley to Charles Mitchell deal (see above). Joseph had acquired this land through TN land grant # 550. The land adjoined property owned by Isham Bradley, Jacob Mitchell, and Daniel, his father. Isham Bradley, Charles Mitchell, and John Miller witnessed the transaction. Source: Pages 107-109, Volume B, Deeds of White Co, TN Indenture for February 15, 1809.
1809 August 15ï»¿	Jury Duty: David's name appears four times in this day's court minutes, related to various court cases for which he served as a juryman. Source: Original pages 111-113 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811.
1809 November 14	Joseph to David Land Purchase "Proven" in Court: The 50-acre purchase of land that David made from his brother, Joseph, was "proven in court by the oaths of Isham Bradley and Charles Mitchell and admitted to record." It was registered at this time, although the deed was recorded on February 15 of the same year (see above). Source: Original page 124 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811
1809 November 14	David "Proves" Isham Bradley's Sale of Land to Charles Mitchell: Earlier in this same year, on February 15, David and Jacob Mitchell had witnessed a sale of land from Isham Bradley to Charles Mitchell. As per the November 14 court record, "...this day [the transaction was] proven in open court by the oaths of David Haston and Jacob Mitchell and ordered to be recorded." It was then officially registered. Source: Original page 124 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811
1809 November 17	Summoned to Jury Duty for February 1810 Session: David was summoned as one of the "persons to attend at the Court house in said County [of White] on the second Monday in February next to serve as Juror." Among the others summoned were Robert Gamble and John Scoggins (two of the first elders of Union Presbyterian Church), Hercules Ogles, Stephen Crain, Isaac Pruett, Andrew McBride, Christopher Steakley, and Isaac Brown. These men probably lived near the Hastons. Source: Original page 134 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811
1810 February 12	Jury Duty: As per the earlier summons (November 17, 1809), David reported for jury duty in this February 1810 County Court session but there is no evidence that he was actually impanelled as a juryman from among the larger group summoned. Source: Original page 136 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811.
1810 February 13	Road Work Assignment: It was "Ordered by Court that Joseph Smith, Esqr. David Haston, William Preuitt, Henry Holt, and Jacob Mitchell be appointed to review and straighten the present road leading from Bledsoe County to Warren County to commence at a point near David Haston's field and to intersect the present road East of Joseph Smith's at the most convenient place and make report thereof to the next Court, and the same is ordered accordingly." So, we know that this Bledsoe County to Warren County road ran by David Haston's field. Source: Original page 144 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811.
1810 May 15	Road Assignment Report: "Present to an order of this Court at February term 1810 for reviewing and straightening the road leading from David Haston's to intersect the road East of Joseph Smith, the reviewers for that purpose appointed this day exhibited their report which was received and established. It is, therefore by the Court ordered that the Overseer of the old road, do open and keep in repair the road as marked by the reviewers aforesaid and that the usual hands to ____ the same, and it is ordered accordingly &/c. Source: Original pages 156-157 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811.
1810 May 16ï»¿	Summoned to September 1810 Circuit Court Jury Duty: David was "named to attend as Jurors at the Honorable the Circuit Court for to be holden in the County of White at the Court house in Sparta on the first Monday in September next." In addition to David, some of the others summoned were John Bryan, William Burden, John White, Nicholas Gillentine, Isaac Medcalf, and Joseph Smith. Source: Original page 162 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811.
1810 May 19	Road Work Appointment: It was "Ordered by the Court that Jacob Stipe, David Haston, Jacob Mitchell, William Brown, Christopher Steakley, Spencer Mitchell, and Nicholas Gillentine be appointed to review lay off and Mark a road the nearest and best way from David McDaniels passing by John Whites so as to intersect a road leading by Joseph Smiths, East of where he lives and the same is ordered accordingly." Source: Original page 177 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811.
1810 November 13	Road Work Report: On November 13, 1810, it was "Ordered by Court that the road reviewed and marked from David McDaniels passing by John Whites so as to entersect a road leading by Joseph Smith's East of his residence be established and the same is ordered accordingly. David's name doesn't appear in the abstract for this entry, but he was part of this road crew as assigned on May 19 of the same year. Source: Original page 197 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811.
1810 or 1811	David Was a Church Clerk: "The Cumberland Presbyterian congregation met in Old Union Church which was organized about 1811 by Rev. William Barnett. Spence Mitchell, Robert Gamble, and Jesse Scoggins were the first elders, and David Haston was the first clerk." (See the locations on the map below of Old Union and David Haston's home place.) Source of the above quotation: Page 174 of Heritage of White County, 1806-1999 (Waynesville, NC: County Heritage, Inc., 1999. Primary source (from which the Heritage of White County information was taken): Minutes of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Union Congregation, White Co. Tenn. A September 1, 1883 entry summarized the congregation's history. The church clerk who wrote this entry was C.T. (Charles Thomas) Haston, the grandson of David Haston and son of William Carroll Haston. ---- Note 1: This church was situated just across from and north of the Caney Fork River from where the early Hastons lived. The date for the founding of this church is sometimes given as 1810. An 1898 source* says that "Both David and Margaret Haston of Van Buren were active members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and before a house of worship was erected in their community, services were often held in their home." This reference may indicate that the Old Union church got its start in David's home, or in his home and the homes of other early settlers. Since David and Peggy arrived in White County by (at least) early 1809 (possibly in the final weeks of 1806), the church may have roots even earlier than 1810. *Source: Page 272 of Memorial and Biographical Record of the Cumberland Region (Chicago: Ogle and Co., 1898). Note 2: It is interesting that the Big Fork Baptist Church existed at this time and was much closer to the Haston family (and did not require crossing the Caney Fork River) than the Presbyterian church that was located north of the Caney Fork River on land owned by Spencer Mitchell. There is evidence that some members of Daniel Haston's family were affiliated with Baptist churches back in Virginia as well as in East Tennessee. Did David Haston, and perhaps other family members, align with Presbyterians while they were in Knox County? The Presbyterians were definitely the majority denomination at that time in Knox County.
1811ï»¿	The First White County, TN Census (List of Taxable Inhabitants): David Hastin and Joseph Hastin appeared in the list for Captain Isaac Pruett's* Company of Militia as taken and returned by Joseph Smith, Esq. on January 1, 1812. Daniel's name does not appear on this list. Daniel was too old to be considered a "taxable inhabitant" on the militia census. One transcribed source (Pioneers of White Co, TN by W.J.H. Phillips; TN 976.89 White PHI) says that these names are David Harton and Joseph Hastin, but the original document clearly reads "David Hastin" and "Joseph Hastin." Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1811-1815 / 1821-1825; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books) ---- *Captain Isaac Pruett, very probably the same man who witnessed David's sale of Knox County land just a few years earlier (see the September 11, 1806 entry)
1811	White County, TN Tax List: David Hastin appeared on this list of taxable property and polls, in the bounds of Captain Isaac Pruett's militia company. He owned 50 acres "by grant" on Caney Fork. His total tax bill for the year was .75, which included .18 3/4 for "State Tax" and 56 1/4 for "County Tax." He was charged for one "white poll," but was not charged for any "black polls" (owned no slaves), nor "steed horses," nor "retail stores," nor "town lots." Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1811-1815 / 1821-1825; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books) ---- Note: One transcribed source (Pioneers of White Co, TN by W.J.H. Phillips (TN 976.89 White PHI); found in the White Co, TN public library) spells the name "Daniel Hartin" and has Joseph's name as "Joseph Hastin" and David's as "David Hartin." In the original source, the surname spellings seem to be consistent as "Hastin." Note: From the White County, TN tax lists we learn that none of the early White County Hastons (Daniel, David, Joseph, & Isaac) ever owned slaves, although their neighbors sometimes did.
1811 February 15ï»¿	Appointed to Appraise Property Values: It was "Ordered by Court that the following persons be appointed to value property To wit: ...David Haston, Thomas Meek and John Ogle in the bounds of Capt Joseph Smith's Company." Source: Original page 231 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811
1811 March 14ï»¿	Fifth Child (Isham Bradley) Born:* Isham Bradley Haston (later changed to Hastain) married Rebecca Streakley (Steakley) on October 9, 1834. Isham B. Haston became one of the early Justices of the Peace for Van Buren County, TN, very soon after its founding in 1840.** He died February 16, 1867, in Hickory County, MO. In 1850 he was living in the same district of Hickory County, MO where his namesake, Isham Bradley, lived in the early 1840s. Source:* David Haston's Bible records; **Sources: Page 1 of Van Buren County TN Court Minutes, April 1840 session, and page 11 of the same source, June 1840 session. He was a Judge in Hickory County, MO in 1862. Source: Page 240 of Goodspeed's History of Hickory County, MO (1889).
1811 August 12	Paid for One Day of Jury Duty: It was ordered by the Court that David Haston (among others for various amounts of jury duty) should be paid for a 1d (one day) juror ticket. It appears that payment for one day of jury duty was worth about 85 cents. Source: Original page 278 of abstracts of White County, Tennessee Minute Book 1806-1811.
1812 January 15	David Witnessed a Sale of Land: David Haston, Woodson P. White, and William Glenn witnessed a sale of 100 acres of Grant # 3496 by Nathan Woods to Margaret Boyed (spelling?). Source: Page 108 of Volume D, Deeds of White County, TN. ----- Note: Woodson P. White was the son of John White, (supposedly, but not likely) the first white settler in White County, TN. The county, it has been (traditionally) believed, was named after John White, although I think that is doubtful. The Whites lived across (that is, north of) the Caney Fork River from the Haston families. As "the crow flies" only a mile or so separated the Whites and the Hastons. John White, also a Revolutionary War veteran, claimed to have been born in Amelia County, VA.
1812 January 16ï»¿	David Purchased More Land: David purchased 50 acres from Charles Mitchell for $610. This was the same tract of land (TN Grant # 529) that Isham Bradley had sold to Mitchell (for $400) on September 26, 1808. David Haston was a witness to the Bradley to Mitchell deal (see above). It was located in the 3rd District on Big Springs Branch. Source: Page 50 of Volume E, Deeds of White County, TN.
1812 February 10	Appointed Road Crew Overseer: It was "Ordered by Court that David Hastin be appointed overseer of the road leading from Sequache to McMinnville, from the top of the Mountain near Cranes, to the house of a Joseph Smith, and that Nicholas Gillentine Esqr. furnish a list of hands to work there on, and that he keeps the same in repair as the law required. -Issd. Feby.18th, 1812." Source: Original page 61 of WPA abstracts of 1811-1812 White County, Tennessee Court Minutes. (There appear to be two different records for this entry on back-to-back pages.)
1812 February 15ï»¿	Summoned to Jury Duty at Next Court Session: David Hastin and some of his neighbors, John White, John Scoggins, Jnr., and Isaac Brown, were "appointed as Jurors to attend the Next term of this Court." Source: Original page 110 of WPA abstracts of 1811-1812 White County, Tennessee Court Minutes.
1812 May 11	Appointed to Road Work Crew: It was "Ordered by Court that Thomas Bronson be appointed overseer of the road from Robert Gamble to Joseph Smith and that he keep the same in repair agreeable to law and that Nicholas Gillentine and Joseph Smith Esqr. be appointed to apportion the hands, amongst said Thomas Bronson, David Hastin, and John Hill, so as to keep in order their respective roads, and it is ordered accordingly." Source: Original page 119 of WPA abstracts of 1811-1812 White County, Tennessee Court Minutes.
1812 August 10	Purchased 50 Acres: On this day Charles Mitchell conveyed 50 acres of land to David Hastin. The conveyance "Was this day proven in open Court by the oaths of Nicholas Gillentine and Nathan Woods." This was probably the same tract of land that Isham Bradley sold to Charles Mitchell in 1809. Source: Original page 185 of WPA abstracts of 1811-1812 White County, Tennessee Court Minutes.
1812 August 10 or 11	Authorized to Purchase Road Work Tools: It was "Ordered by Court David Hastin, John Hill, and Peter Carter Overseer of the road leading from Sequache Valley to the Warren County line, be authorised [sic] to procure one Sledge Hammer, one crow bar, and one set of blowing tools, for the purpose of removing the rocks out of said road..." Source: Original page 203 of WPA abstracts of 1811-1812 White County, Tennessee Court Minutes.
1812 November 5ï»¿	David Witnessed Another Land Transaction: Joseph Cummings, David Haston, and Nathan Woods witnessed a sale of 50 acres land by John Smallman (Smallwood?) to Nicholas Gillentine. It was located in the 1st District, 1st Range, and 10th Section on the south side of Caney Fork in Beech Cove. On the 9th day of this same month, David "proved" this deed by oath in open court. Source: Page 73 of Volume E, Deeds of White County, TN (on microfilm roll White County, TN #61 from TSLA).
1812	White County, TN Tax List: Daniel Hastin, David Hastin, and Joseph Hastin appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in the bounds of Captain Isaac Pruett's Company of Militia. The listing was taken by Joseph Smith, Esq. David's total tax was .50 (.25 for state tax and for county tax). It seems that the county tax rate dropped from the previous year, despite having doubled the size of his farm. His land holdings had increased to 100 acres, from 50 acres. Again, he was charged for one white poll. Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1811-1815 / 1821-1825; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books) Online reference: White County, TN 1812 Tax List (microfilm roll 123, book 1812).
1813	Signed Two Contradictory Petitions: David Haston signed a petition from Peter Hoodenpile to the TN General Assembly to be permitted to create a toll turnpike from Bledsoe County into White, Warren, and other counties of TN. Source: 28-3-1831 1-3 of 1812-1813 TN Legislative Petitions (TSLA Legislative Petitions Microfilm # 4) In the same year, David Haston signed a petition from the citizens of White County, TN to the TN General Assembly to overturn the earlier petition by Peter Hoodenpile to build a toll turnpike from Bledsoe County courthouse across the Cumberland Mountain. The person who drafted the petition apparently transcribed all of the signatures into his own handwriting. No specific date is stated in the document. Source: 21-3-1831 1-4 of 1812-1813 TN Legislative Petitions (TSLA Legislative Petitions Microfilm # 4)
1813 February 8	Sixth Child (Thomas C.) Born:* Information on Thomas C. Haston was discovered in the late 1990s. He married Margaret __?__ and left Tennessee for Missouri after the 1850 census. After Margaret died he remarried in Butler County, MO in 1852. He died in 1853. His two older sons moved to St. Francois County, MO. The two youngest children went to unrelated families in Arkansas. We do not know what happened to the two middle children.** Source:* David Haston's Bible records; Source:** Sherry Mirkovic
1813	White County, TN Tax List: Daniel Hastin, David Hastin, and Joseph Hastin appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in the bounds of Captain Isaac Pruett's Company of Militia. The listing was taken by Nicholas Gillentine, Esq. David's total tax was 1.00. Three additional taxes (county purposes tax, court house tax, & poor tax) were added this year. He still had 100 acres, listed as being on Big Spring. Again, he was only charged for one white poll. Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1811-1815 / 1821-1825; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books)
1814 November 13 to May 13, 1815	War of 1812 Substitute: David chose not to go to war in the War of 1812. He was 37 years old and had six children to feed by 1814. Instead, he paid William Jones to go in his place. That was a perfectly honorable and legal thing to do at the time. William Jones enlisted in November of 1812. The record reads: J [for alphabetical listing] 3 [for 3rd Regiment] (Roulston's) W. Tenn. Militia William Jones, Pvt, Capt. Daniel Newman's Company, 3 Reg't Tenn. Militia (War of 1812.) Appears on Company Muster Roll for Nov. 13, 1814, when mustered into service, to May 13, 1815. Remarks and alterations since last muster: Substitute in the room of David Heaston 22 Nov, 1814. Another record shows he was paid 8 dollars per month (48 dollars total). The dates and the regiment match the record of Isaac Haston's War of 1812 service (see the Isaac Haston timeline). Thus, William Jones and Isaac Haston probably enrolled, served, and were discharged together. We know that Isaac participated in the Battle of New Orleans. Daniel Newman, whose unit William and Isaac fought, was a citizen (and militia Captain) in White County, TN. A William Jones witnessed David Haston's sale of 111 acres in Knox County, TN in 1806. Was this the same man? Source: War of 1812 Records for William Jones (available for a fee from Genealogy Quest) ----- Question: Why is there no record of Joseph Haston's participation in the War of 1812, or of a substitute who replaced him?
1814	White County, TN Tax List: Daniel Hastin, David Hastin, and Joseph Hastin appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in the bounds of Captain Isaac Pruett's Company of Militia. The listing was taken by Nicholas Gillentine, Esq. David's total tax was .56 1/4. The three additional taxes (county purposes tax, court house tax, & poor tax) that were added in the previous year no longer existed. He still had 100 acres, listed as being on Big Spring. Again, he was charged only for one white poll. Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1811-1815 / 1821-1825; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books)
1815 May 9	Seventh Child (David Machlin/Macklin Haston) Born:* David Mc. Haston married Parmeely Creely and died before 1900. This son of David, Sr. and Peggy Haston was commonly referred to as David MC (or Mc.) Haston. For example, "David M.C. Haston" appears on the 1836 White County, TN tax list in District 15, where his father lived. He owned no land and this was the first appearance of his name on the tax list, that I have found. In 1836, he would have become 21 years old. He appears frequently in the early Van Buren County court minutes until July 1851. His daughter's obituary (see below) says she "came to Missouri with her parents in 1853" and they settled and resided in Hickory County, MO for about six years before moving to St. Francois County, MO, and settling near the county seat, Farmington, MO. Farmington was about 75 miles southwest of St. Louis and in the "Lead Belt" region in Missouri. The full middle name abbreviated by MC was a mystery for many years, but the discovery of a death certificate for one of his daughters solved that mystery: The death certificate of David MC Haston's daughter, Margaret Clementine Hasting Chapman (1850-1911), indicates that her father's name was David Machlin (or Macklin?) Hasting and her mother was Permela Crealy (Permelia Creely). The name of Margaret's father as it appears on her birth certificate:** The MC in his name may have given him in honor of William Machlin IV, the first Secretary of State and Adjutant-General for Tennessee whom his father may have known in Knoxville, or David Wilson McLin, a popular Cumberland Presbyterian minister who was probably an acquaintance of David Haston, Sr. Source:* David Haston's Bible records; Source** File No. 7780 from Missouri State Board of Health, place of her death St. Francois County, Marion Township, date of her death February 17, 1911
1815	White County, TN Tax List: Daniel Hastin, David Hastin, Joseph Hastin, and Isaac Hastin appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in the bounds of Captain William Denny's Company. The listing was taken by N. Gillentine, Esq. David's total tax was .62 1/2. The poor tax returned this year. He still had 100 acres, listed as being on Big Spring. Again, he was charged for one white poll. Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1811-1815 / 1821-1825; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books)
1816ï»¿	White County, TN Tax List: Daniel Hastin, David Hastin, Joseph Hastin, and Isaac Hastin appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in the bounds of Captain William Denny's Company of Militia. The listing was taken by Nicholas Gillentine, Esq. David's total tax was .62 1/2. David still owned the 100 acres on Big Spring. Again, he was charged for one white poll. Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1816-1818; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books)
1817 September 20	Eighth Child (Loucinda L.) Born:* Loucinda L. Haston was either married to an unknown Mr. Moore or had an illegitimate child (Edward Cyrus Moore Haston) by him. This child was reared by David and Peggy Haston when she married Abraham Greenville Trogden, Sr. (born 1805 in Ohio; died before December 4, 1854) in Van Buren County, TN, soon after the death of Mr. Trogden's first wife, Mary K. Hinds. Mary K. Hinds Trogden died in 1849, leaving Abraham (Sr.) with a large family and an infant child, Abraham Greenville Trogden (Jr.) who was born on August 4, 1849. Loucinda died on December 2, 1902 in Maxwell, (of Franklin County), TN. In the 1900 Warren County, TN census, Loucinda stated that she was the mother of one child born, and no children living. Source:* David Haston's Bible records ---- Note: This Loucinda, daughter of David & Peggy Haston, should not be confused with Loucinda Lou Haston, born about 1847. The 1847-born Loucinda Haston was the daughter of Wiley B. Haston (brother of the older Loucinda L. Haston) and Mary Durham, Wiley B's second wife. Thus, she was David and Peggy Haston's granddaughter. This younger Loucinda Lou Haston, daughter of Wiley B. Haston, married Abraham Greenville Trogden, Jr. (b. August 4, 1849), the son of the elder Abraham Trogden (1805-1854). This couple was married in Van Buren Co, TN on April 21, 1870. Source: A.G. Trogdan to Lou Haston, Van Buren Co, TN Marriage Book II, page 16. Lynn Schiller was a major source for this information. See Howard H. Hasting, Sr.'s material for more information on this daughter of David and Peggy Haston.
1817	White County, TN Tax List: Daniel Hasting, David Hasting, Joseph Hasting, and Isaac Hasting appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in Captain Jesse Scoggon's Company of Militia. The listing was taken by William Denny, Esq. David's total tax was 1.34. A bridge tax was assessed this year. He still owned the 100 acres, now being listed as on the Caney Fork. Again, he was charged for one white poll. Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1816-1818; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books) Note: Apparently a bridge was built at about this time. Did it span the Caney Fork or Cane Creek?
1818	White County, TN Tax List: David Haston, Joseph Haston, and Isaac Haston appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in Captain Scoggon's Company. The listing was taken by William Denny, Esq. Daniel Haston was not mentioned, but Isaac appears on the list with 150 acres. David's total tax was .87 1/2. A court house tax was assessed this year. David's 100 acres was said to have been on Cane Creek. He was charged with one white poll. Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1816-1818; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books)
1819 October 25	Ninth Child (Margrete [Peggy]) Born:* Nothing more is known about this daughter. (as per Haston Ridge web site) Source:* David Haston's Bible records
1820	Federal Census: A David Hasting household is included on this census. There are three males under the age of 10 [these would have been Isham Bradley, Thomas C., & David Mc], two males between the ages of 10 to 16 [Willie B. & Daniel McComiskey], no males in the age 16 to 26 category, one male (presumably David) in the 26 to 45 age range, and one male over 45 years old. Who was this male that was over 45 years old? It doesn't seem to have been David's father, Daniel, since there was a Daniel Haston household consisting of a male and a female in this over 45 category. If the 1777 birth date is correct, David would have been 43 years old in 1820. David's household also included two females under the age of 10 [Loucinda & Margrete], one female between 10 and 16 [Mary "Polly"], one female in the ages 16 to 26 category [Malinda], one female who was somewhere between 26 and 45 years old (presumably Peggy), and no females over 45 years old. The record indicates that there were no slaves in the household. Although the census does not name the children, it does perfectly account for all nine of David's and Peggy's children born up to this time. The census ages match the dates of birth given in the David Haston family Bible. Source: Federal Census of 1820 for White County, TN
1820 July 18	Appointed to County Court Jury Duty: David Haston appeared in the county court for jury duty and was "elected and sownr [sworn?] as Jury of Grand inquest for the body of the county of white..." David's neighbor, Daniel Dale, was also on this jury. Source: Original page 13 of the WPA abstracts of the White County, Tennessee Minute Book, 1820.
1820 July 22ï»¿	Summoned for Circuit Court Jury Duty: David Haston and others were "summoned as Jurors to attend at the September term of the Circuit..." Source: Original page 80 of the WPA abstracts of the White County, Tennessee Minute Book, 1820.
1821 Januaryï»¿	Appeared on a list of debtors: David Hastings appeared on an inventory of debts owed to a deceased Lawson Nourse, who was one of the earliest physicians in Sparta, TN. He was on the "Good Debt" section of the list for a $2.00 debt. There are approximately 800 names on the list. Source: Page 232 or 262 of Inventory and Wills, 1810-1828; White County, TN (original book in the White Co County Court Clerk Office in Sparta, TN)
1821 August 24	Tenth Child (James W.) Born:* James W. married Jane Shockley on October 14, 1841 in Van Buren County. One source says he died in 1858 in Van Buren County. Source:* David Haston's Bible records Note: James W. Haston was credited with one pole (poll at .80) in the October 1861 court session. Apparently, he was living at that time. Or could he have been credited posthumously for a poll tax that he paid prior to his death? Source: Page 84 of the Van Buren County, TN county court minutes - October 1861. TSLA microfilm #14 for that county. See Howard H. Hasting, Sr.'s materialï»¿ for more information on this son of David and Margaret Haston.
1821	White County, TN Tax List: Daniel Hasting, David Hasting, Joseph Hasting, and Isaac Hasting appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in Captain Scoggon's "old" Company. The listing was taken by Nicholas Gillentine, Esq. David's total tax was 2.91 3/4. In addition to state, county, and poor taxes, a juror tax and a bridge & jail tax were assessed. David's 100 acres were said to have been on Big Spring. As usual, he was charged for one white poll. Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1811-1815 / 1821-1825; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books)
1822	White County, TN Tax List: David Hasting, Joseph Hasting, and Isaac Hasting appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in Captain Parker's Company. The listing was taken by N. Gillentine, Esq. As on the 1818 tax list, Daniel does not appear, but Isaac appears with the 150 acres on Big Spring. David's total tax was 2.50. His 100 acres were said to have been situated on Big Spring. As usual, he was charged for one white poll. Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1811-1815 / 1821-1825; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books)
1822 January 22	Jury duty: David Hasten (WPA transcription spelling) served as a juror for this county court session. Source: Original page 365 of WPA transcriptions of White County, TN Minute Book 6, 1820-1823.
1822 July 15	Appointed for road work: David Hastin (WPA transcription spelling) was appointed to work on the road "leading from Robert Gambles to a branch on top of the mountain East of William Crains..." "Isaac Hastin" and others who lived near the Hastons (example, Aquila Nearn, Jesse Brown, Isaac Brown, Wyatt Ogle, Wm. Brown, Robert Gamble, et. al.) were appointed to the same project. Source: Original page 469 of WPA transcriptions of White Co, TN Minute Book 6, 1820-1823.
1822 July 20	Appointed as an election judge: David Hasting (WPA transcription spelling) was appointed, along with Robt. Gamble, Isaac Plumber [sic], as a judge "to hold the money elected for com at McElhineys." Source: Original page 511 of WPA transcriptions of White Co, TN Minute Book 6, 1820-1823.
1822 October 14	Appointed Justice of Peace: David Hasting (and James Townsend, John W. Gleason, Stephen Palmer, & William McKinney) "produced in open Court a Commission signed by his Excellency William Carroll, Governor, of the State of Tennessee countersigned by David Graham Esqr. Secretary of State, commissions them as Justice of the peace for said County." The record further states that David and the others "severally took the oaths required by law, and Thereunto are permitted to act as Justices of the peace in and for the County of White, and as Justices of the Courts of pleas and quarter sessions in Said County." Sources: Original page 515 of the WPA transcribed White Co, TN Minute Book 6, 1820-1823. On page 193/186 (both numbers appear on the page) of Tennessee Commission Book 4 from the Tennessee State Library and Archives "David Hasting" and four other men are listed as having been commissioned as Justices of the Peace for White Co; the date was August 23, 1822. ----- Note: From this point on, David appears often in the court records as a Justice of the Peace. At the end of each day of court, he (along with the other sitting JPs) signed his name to the court record. Therefore there is no dearth of David Haston signatures.
1822 October 14	Appointed to assign workers for road work projects: "David Hastin Esqr." (WPA transcription spelling) was appointed to "assign a list of hands" to work on a road from "John Dales to the caney fork at porters ford." Daniel Dale was the overseer of this project. Thomas Meek was the "overseer of the road from Porters ford on caney fork to the first ford on Cane Creek above Abijah Cranes." "David Hastin Esqr." was appointed to assign hands for this project also. Sources: Original page 517 of the WPA transcribed White Co, TN Minute Book 6, 1820-1823. "David Hastings Esqr." also was appointed to assign hands for a road project overseen by Terry Gillentine. This road was "from the mouth of cane creek to the intersection of the road east of John McElhinies." Sources: Original page 520 of the WPA transcribed White Co, TN Minute Book 6, 1820-1823.
1822 October 15,16,18,19	Sitting Justice of the Peace in county court: Tuesday, October 15: At the close of court on this day, "David Haston" signed his signature as one of the JPs for the day. Wednesday, October 16: "David Hasting" (WPA transcription spelling) was on the list of JPs in the morning. His name was not on the list of JPs at the end of the day. Neither is it on the list of JPs for the following day, Thursday, October 17. Friday, October 18: "David Hasting" signs as a JP at the beginning of the day and his name is spelled "David Haston" at the end of the day as the JPs sign the closing of the session. Saturday, October 19: "David Hasting" was on the list as a JP in the morning but his signature is not on the JP list at the end of the session." Note: The variations in the spelling of David's last name are a result of who entered the names. In the mornings, a clerk made a list of the JPs present. At the end of the day, the JPs signed their own names. Sources: Original pages 525-537 of the WPA transcribed White County, TN Minute Book 6, 1820-1823.
1822 October 21	Ordered to receive 1823 tax list: "David Hastings Esqr." was, among others, ordered "to receive the lists of taxable property and polls in...captains companies for the year 1823." David's area of responsibility was "Capt. Parkers Company." Sources: Original page 549 of the WPA transcribed White County, TN Minute Book 6, 1820-1823.
1823 January 20-21ï»¿	Sitting Justice of the Peace in county court: Monday, January 20: "David Haston" was on the list as an attending JP at the beginning of the day's session. He (same spelling) signed his name at for the closing of the day's session. Tuesday, January 21: "David Haston" was on the list as an attending JP in the morning at the beginning of this session but his signature is not on the list of JPs at the closing of the session. Sources: Original pages 576-594 of the WPA transcribed White Co, TN Minute Book 6, 1820-1823.
1823 January 20ï»¿	Assigned a Justice of the Peace classification: "This day the court proceeded to the classification of the Justices of the peace to hold the courts of pleas & quarter sessions for the present year, which was determined by ballot as follows towit: [total of six classes assigned] Fifth class David Hasting, James Townsend, George D. Howard, William Denny, Joseph Anderson & Saml. A. Moore, Esqrs. to set the first week in October term." Question: Is this "classification" simply a scheduling or are there levels of authority associated with the six levels mentioned here? (See also January 9, 1826 entry.) Sources: Original page 583 of the WPA transcribed White Co, TN Minute Book 6, 1820-1823
1823 January 21	Returned tax list to court: "This day David Haston Esqr. returned in open court a list of Taxable property and polls in Capt. Parkers company for the year 1823." (see the 1823 White Co, TN tax list below) Sources: Original page 588 of the WPA transcribed White Co, TN Minute Book 6, 1820-1823
1823	White County, TN Tax List: Daniel Hastin, David Hastin, Joseph Hastin, and Isaac Hastin appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in Captain Parker's Company. The listing was taken by D. Hasting, Esq. David's total tax was 1.92 1/2. His land was described as being on Cane Creek. He was charged for one white poll. Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1811-1815 / 1821-1825; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books) ----- Note: Apparently, Joseph inherited 50 acres of land from Daniel at this time. It appears that Isaac may also have inherited land from Daniel, which he sold to Rodum Doyle. Perhaps Isaac sold his part of the land because he was planning to move away from White Co, which he did soon after this time. David probably inherited the 50 acre home place from Daniel when he died. In the 1827 tax list (see below), David's 100 acres has expanded to 150 acres. We know that David's youngest son, William Carroll Haston, Sr., ended up owning the Daniel Haston home place. Jesse and Jeremiah did not receive any of their father's land because they had already moved to Missouri. Daniel Haston, Jr., who had lived in Kentucky, was deceased by this time.
1823 April 16	Unclaimed Mail in Sparta Post Office: David Haston was on a list of people who had unclaimed mail in Sparta, TN. Would love to know who sent that letter and what was in it! Source: April 16, 1823 edition of The Sparta Review.
1823 June 28	Eleventh Child (Nancy Jane) Born:* Nancy Jane married (1) McGregor Earles on November 2 or 7, 1843 (wedding performed by primitive Baptist minister, Rev. Ozias Denton*) and (2) Jesse Carrol on November 15, 1853. One source says she died in Warren County, TN, date unknown. Source: David Haston's Bible records; Source:**Source: WPA transcriptions of 1840-1861 Van Buren County, TN Marriage Records. See Howard H. Hasting, Sr.'s materialï»¿ for more information on this daughter of David and Margaret Haston.
1824ï»¿	White County, TN Tax List: Joseph Haston, Daniel Haston, and David Haston appeared on this "list of taxable property and polls" in Captain Arthur Parker's company. The listing was taken and returned by David Haston, Esq. David Haston owned 100 acres at this time. His land was located "on the big spring by D" (D = "ditto" for Caney Fork, in line above). His total tax was 1.70 1/4. David was charged poll tax for one white poll. Source: Original page 138 of 1824 Property and Poll Tax, White County, TN.
1824 April 12	Assigned Road Project Crew: Robert Gamble was "appointed Overseer of the road, from Cane Creek to the house of William Denny." David Hasting Esq. was responsible to "assign a list of hands to work thereon." Rodum Doyle was "appointed Overseer of the road from William Dennys to Thomas Shockleys on the mountain." David Hasting Esq. was responsible to "assign a list of hands to work thereon." Source: Original page 4 of Part 1 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1824 April 7ï»¿	Unclaimed Mail in Sparta Post Office: David Haston was on a list of people who had unclaimed mail in Sparta, TN. Source: April 7, 1824 edition (Volume 2, Number 50) of The Sparta Review.
1824 July 19	Entered into Bond for Joseph's Appointment as a Constable: Joseph Hasting was "this day appointed a constable for the full space and term of two years from the date hereof, and thereupon took the oath to support the constitution of the United States, the State of Tennessee and the oath of office, together with the several oaths prescribed by law, and together with David Hasting and Arthur Parker entered into and acknowledge bond in the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, conditioned as the law requires." Source: Page 175 of the 1824-1827 Minute Book of the Court of Common Pleas of White Co, TN; Also, original page 43 of Part 1 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827. Note: This appointment was made just about five years prior to Joseph's death. One would think that Joseph must have been in apparent good health at this time, in order to be appointed as constable.
1824 July 19	Assigned Road Crew Workers: It was "Ordered by Court that Robert Gamble be appointed Overseer of the road leading down the Caney fork from where the same leaves the Sequache [sic] Road at the East bank of Cane Creek near Abijah Cranes thence to the top of the mountain at Thomas Schockleys and keep the same in repair as the law requires, and that David Hasting and William Denny Esq. apportion hands between said Gamble and Abijah Crane overseer of one other lot road." Source: Original page 43 of Part 1 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1824 October 11-16ï»¿	Sitting Justice of the Peace for Court Session: David Haston was one of the JPs holding court during this week. His name appears at the beginning and/or the ending of each day of court during the period. Source: Original pages 75-96 of Part 1 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827. Note: On Monday, October 11, of this 1824 session (original page 79 of WPA transcriptions), it was "Ordered that Isham Bradley be appointed to take charge of the Court house in Sparta, and keep the doors closed at all times except such times as Court is setting or preaching appointed or something of public interest to be transacted therein &c." However, just prior to the adjournment of court on the same day it was (original page 80) "Ordered by Court that the order appointing Isham Bradley to take charge of the Court house in Sparta be suspended until Monday next for reconsideration; and if not then acted upon to stand rescinded." Isham Bradley was a friend of the Haston family and had been the bondsman for David Haston's marriage in Knox County, some 24 years earlier. On the following Monday, David Haston was not one of the sitting JPs and no record is given, in the WPA court transcriptions for this following Monday session, of Isham Bradley or the job to "take charge of the Court house." Questions: Why was the appointment rescinded so quickly? Did someone oppose Isham's appointment, based upon some character issue? Or, was the need for the position itself called into question? Note: On January 14, 1826, Isham Bradley was issued an "ordinary" license (license to be an inn keeper) by the White County court. Jesse Lincoln (cousin of Abraham Lincoln) entered into bond with Isham Bradley on that matter. Source: Original page 320 of Part 2 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1824 October 11	Assigned Road Crew Workers: It was "Ordered by Court that the road leading from Cane Creek to Thomas Shockleys be divided into two sections, the division to take place at the house of William Denny, that Robert Gamble the present overseer keep in repair that part of the road from Cane Creek to William Dennys and that Thomas Jackson be appointed overseer of said road from William Dennys to Thomas Shockleys and keep the same in repair as the law requires and that David Haston and William Denny Esq assign and apportion the hands between said overseers..." Source: Original page 76 of Part 1 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1824 October 15	Daughter Polly in Bastardy Case: Polly Haston (see her January 29, 1804 entry above) "refused to declare the father of the Bastard child begotten upon her and paid a fine of five dollars as required by law." Her father, David (who was a sitting Justice of the Peace in the court on this day!), then came "into open Court and acknowledged himself indebted to the State of Tennessee in the sum of Five hundred dollars, to the use of the State to be rendered nevertheless to be void on condition that the said Polly Haston shall at all times keep her said child from becoming chargable [sic] to the County of White..." Source: Original pages 89-90 of Part 1 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827. ----- Question: The identity of this child is revealed in another section of this site. Polly married William Lewis three years later.
1825	White County, TN Tax List: Daniel Hasting, David Hasting, and Joseph Hasting appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in Captain Parker's Company. The listing was probably taken by David Hasting, Esq. (although his name does not appear on the list). David owned 100 acres at this time. Beginning with this year, land was divided into "school lands" and "other lands." Probably the "school land" was taxable (or at a higher rate) and the other land was not (or at a lower rate). All of his land was in the "other lands" category. His total tax was 1.43 3/4. As usual, he was charged for one white poll. Source: Property and Poll Tax, 1811-1815 / 1821-1825; in the White County Court Clerk's office in Sparta, TN. (not transcriptions, but copies of original books)
1825 January 26 & February 2, 9	Unclaimed Mail in Sparta Post Office: David Haston was on a list of people who had unclaimed mail in Sparta, TN. Source: January 26 & February 2 & 9, 1825 editions of The Sparta Review.
1825 April 11ï»¿	Road Development Assignments: It was "Ordered by Court that John W. Simpson, Joel Smith, William Denny, Isaac Brown, Joseph Walling, Edmond Godard, Bluford Warren, John Smallman, Robert Gamble, William Mooney and David Hasting be appointed a Jury of view to lay out and mark a road, as a private way over the lands of John Dodson for the use of Samuel Miller being from the lands whereon he now lives and report thereof to the present term of this Court." It was also "Ordered by Court that John Scoggis Jnr. Jesse Scoggins, John White, William Denny and David Haston be appointed Commissioners to review and lay off and mark a road as opened round the farm of Spence Mitchell and report thereof to the present term of this Court &c." It was also "Ordered by Court that William Denny, David Hastings, Simon Doyle, Rodam Doyle and Willis Steakly be appointed Comrs. to review lay off and Mark a road beginning near the corner of Arthur Parkers Orchard, and intersecting the old road near John Gillentine lane and report thereof to the present term of this court., the same road as opened by said John Gillentine. It was also "Ordered by Court that John White, David Hastings, William Denny, Rhoadam Doyle, and John Dodson be appointed comrs. to view that part of the Sequache road as turned by Stephen Wallis near his farm, and report thereof to the present term of this Court &c." Note: Many other road projects were assigned to various people on this day. Source: Original pages 168-169 of Part 1 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1825 July 18	Sitting Justice of Peace in County Court: David Hastin was signed in court on this Monday morning as one of the sitting Justices of the Peace. Source: Original page 201 of Part 1 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1825 July 18ï»¿	Assigns Road Crew Workers: It was "Ordered by Court that Dan Griffith be appointed overseer of the road from the middle of the river at Porters ford on the Caney fork to John Dales and keep the same in repair as the law requires, and that David Hastings Esqr. assign a list of hands to work thereon, road of first class." Source: Original page 203 of Part 1 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827. It was also "Ordered by Court that William Seals be appointed Overseer of the road from the middle of the river at Porters ford to the ten mile tree, and keep the same in repair as the law requires and that David Hastings Esqr. assign a list of hands to work thereon, road first class." Source: Original page 204 of Part 1 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1825 July 18ï»¿	Appointed as Election Judge: David Hastin, Arthur Parker and Robert Gamble were appointed to be Judges for "the election of Governor of the State, a Representative in Congress, a member of the Senate and home of Representatives in the State Legislature..." These men were Judges for the voting "to be held by William Drury Esqr." Source: Original page 204 of Part 1 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1825 October 5ï»¿	Unclaimed Mail in Sparta Post Office: David Haston was on a list of people who had unclaimed mail in Sparta, TN. Source: October 5, 1825 edition of The Sparta Review.
1825 October 10-15ï»¿	Sitting Justice of the Peace in County Court: David Hastings was one of the JPs who presided at this week of "Court of pleas and quarter sessions." His name was on the record each day, morning and/or evening, from Monday through Saturday. William Denny / Denney was also a JP for some of these court sessions. Source: Original pages 237-261 [numbers continue from Part 1] of Part 2 of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1826 January 1	White Co, TN Census: Daniel Hastin, David Hastin, and Joseph Hastin appeared on a "list containing the names and number of free male inhabitants of the age of twenty years and upwards resident citizens in Capt. Parkers company on the 1st day of January 1826 taken by David Hasting, Esq." This list was not a typical tax list with property info, etc. given. It was more of a census, similar to the one taken in 1811. Source: Copied from the original document in the White County Court Clerk office in Sparta, TN (not a transcription) Note: See the July 10, 1826 entry. David turned the census in to the court at that time. See the note regarding Daniel Haston in that July 10 entry.
1826 January 9ï»¿	"Classed" as a Justice of the Peace: It was "Ordered by Court that the Justices of the peace be classed to hold the Courts of pleas and quarter sessions for White County..." "John Bryan, David Hasting, William Warren, Thomas Cooper and Waman Leftwich Esq. to hold the first week of April Court 1826." Note: This action of "classing" the JPs appears to have simply been an issue of scheduling them for court duty. See also the January 20, 1823 entry. Source: Original page 294 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1826 April 10ï»¿	Assigned Road Crew Workers: It was "Ordered by Court that Wyatt Ogle be appointed overseer of the road from William Dennys to Thomas Shockleys and keep the same in repair as the law requires and that David Haston and William Denny Esq. assign a list of hands to work thereon..." Source: Original page 323 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1826 April 15ï»¿	Reports Tax Information to Court: "This day David Hasting Esq. returned in open Court a list of the taxable property and poles of Captain Parkers Company for the year 1826 which was ordered to be recorded-" Source: Original page 344 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1826 July 10ï»¿	Presents 1826 Census to Court: "This day David Hasting Esqrs. returned in open Court a list of the census taken in Captain Parkers Company for the year 1826 which was ordered to be recorded-" Source: Original page 365 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827. Note: See the January 1, 1826 entry for this census. Although the census was dated "January 1, 1826" it wasn't presented to court until this day, July 10 of 1826. Daniel Haston's (Hastin?) name was on this census, although it seems (by his absence on the next year's tax list) that he died sometime during this year. Does this mean that he was still living by July 10, 1826 or does it mean that the census included everyone who was living at the first of the year?
1826 July 10ï»¿	Assigned Road Crew Workers: It was "Ordered by Court that George Yeates be appointed overseer of the road from the middle of the river at Porters ford to the ten mile tree and keep the same in repair as the law requires and that David Hasting Esq assign a list of hands to work thereon it being a road f the first class-" Source: Original page 368 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1826	White County, TN Tax List: Daniel Hastin, Senr., David Hastin, and Joseph Hastin appeared on this "taxable property and polls" list in Captain Parker's Company. The listing was taken by David Hasting, Esq. David Hastin owned 100 acres at this time, in the "other lands" category. David's total tax was 1.81 1/4. As usual, he was charged poll tax for one white poll. Source: Original page 24 in Property and Poll Tax, 1826-1829 for White County, TN.
1826 July 10	Entered into Bond for Joseph's Reappointment as Constable: "This day the Court proceeded to the appointment of a Constable in Captain Parkers Company and to that office do appoint Joseph Hasting for the next two years ensuing who thereupon took the oath prescribed by law and together with William Denny and David Hasting entered into an acknowledged bond in the sum of one thousand dollars conditioned as the law requires." Source: Original page 368 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1826 October 9ï»¿	Assigned Road Crew Workers: It was "Ordered by Court that Stephen Wallace be appointed overseer of the road from the middle of the river at Porters ford on caney fork, to John Dales and keep the same in repair as the law requires, it being a road of the first class, and that David Hasting Esq. assign a list of hands to work thereon" Source: Original page 396 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1826 October 9ï»¿	Appointed to Return the 1827 Tax List: "David Hasting Esq in Captain Steakley Company" Although the WPA abstract doesn't call this the 1827 tax list, it appears to be a typical annual assignment of tax roll duties that was given to Justices of the Peace. Source: Original page 400 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1826 October 12-13ï»¿	Sitting Justice of the Peace in County Court: David's name does not appear on the Thursday (October 12) morning list of JPs, but it (David Hasting) does appear on the list of JPs at the close of the day. Apparently, he arrived to the court session sometime during the day. He signed in as JP on Friday morning. The transcriber spells David's surname "Hasting." He was not on the JP list for Saturday, October 14. Source: Original page 407 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1827 January 8ï»¿	Returned Tax List: "This day David Hasting Esqs returned a list of the taxable property and poles in Captain Shockleys Company for the year 1827, which was ordered to be recorded." (see entry below for this 1827 tax list) Source: Original page 447 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1827ï»¿	White County, TN Tax List: David Hastin and Joseph Hastin appeared on a list of "taxable property and polls in Capt. Stukleys Co. for 1827. Returned by David Haston, Esq." David possessed 150 acres at this time (compare that with his 100 acres on previous tax lists). Apparently, he inherited the final portion of Daniel's property. That would probably have been the Daniel Haston home place. We do know that this property ended up in David's family and that it was common for the oldest son to receive the parents' home. All 150 acres were categorized as "other lands" (i.e. not "school lands") and his total tax for the year was 1.81 1/4. He was again charged for one white poll. Source: Copied from the original document in the White County Court Clerk office in Sparta, TN (not a transcription) ----- Note: On Monday, October 9, 1826, David Hasting, Esq. was assigned to return the tax list for Captain Steakley Company. On Monday, January 8, 1827, "David Hastings Esqs returned a list of the taxable property and poles [sic] in Captain Shockleys Company for the year 1827." Source: Original pages 400 and 448 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1827 February 5ï»¿	David Granted 100 Acres: David acquired a 100 acres land grant (No. 1278) in White County. He was an "assignee of Isaac Dodson." This grant was made "pursuant to an act of the General Assembly...passed on the third day of December 1825." This appears to be the 1825 act of the TN General Assembly that allowed persons "to enter any vacant or unappropriated land...by paying into the county entry taker's office, one cent per acre," as per Chapter 64 (pages 72-73) of Public Acts, of the State of Tennessee for 1825 (from TSLA). This tract was "on the waters of the Caney fork and on Cumberland Mountain." It included "the improvement whereon Robert Kimbrel formerly lived and excluding the same from the land herein granted." Note: A deed map created by Wayne Haston seems to indicate that this 100 acres tract was about one-third of the way up the Yates Mountain (now Lemont) Road that runs from Route 285 in the Cane Creek area up the mountain to Spencer, TN. Source: # 911 on page 344 of Mountain District (TN) Land Grants Book B (microfilm roll # 127 at TSLA).
1827 March 28ï»¿	Twelfth Child (Isaac T.) Born:* Isaac T. married Elizabeth Sparkman on January 30, 1846, in Van Buren Co. He died September 19, 1875, in Van Buren Co. (as per Haston Ridge website) Source:* David Haston's Bible records See Howard H. Hasting, Sr.'s material for more information on this son of David and Margaret Haston.
1827 April 9-14ï»¿	Sitting Justice of Peace in County Court: David Haston was one of the "Justices of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions in and for the county of White..." for this week of court. Source: Original pages 480-507 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1827 April 9ï»¿	Appointed as a Road Commissioner: It was "Ordered by court that Simon Doyle, David Haston, Spencer Mitchell, John White Senr. Christopher Steakley, Robert Gamble and Isaac Brown be appointed Commissioners to review lay off and mark a road Beginning on Cumberland Mountain near James Moses, above Isaac Browns, on Hails Turnpike road and from thence the nearest and best way to intersect a road that is now opening at or near a place known by the name of Keiths Cabbins on the Water of Glade Creek and report thereof to the next term of this Court..." It was also "Ordered by Court that Robert Gamble, Isaac Brown, William Denny, David Haston and Abijah Crane be appointed commissioners to review lay off and mark a road leading from Abijah Cranes to Sparta From Abijah Cranes Gate to the top of a red hill not exceeding one half of a mile from the gate and there or near the top of said red hill intersect with the road now leading to Sparta and report thereof to the next term of this court-" Source: Original page 481 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1827 July 9ï»¿	Sitting Justice of Peace in County Court: David Hasting's name was on the list of JPs at the beginning of the day but, apparently, he didn't stay all day. His name doesn't appear on the afternoon's closing of session list of JPs. Source: Original page 521 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1827 July 9	Assigned Road Crew Workers: It was "Ordered by Court that the road as reviewed by Comrs. near James Moores on Cumberland Mountain, be established, and that Thomas Moore be appointed overseer thereof being a road of the second class, and open and keep the same in repair as the law directs, and that David Hastings Esq. assign a list of hands to work thereon." It was also "Ordered by court that John Yeates be appointed overseer of the road from the ten mile tree to the middle of Caney fork, being a road of the second class, and keep the same in repair as the law requires, and that David Hasting assign a list of hands to work thereon." Source: Original page 525 of Part 2 [numbers continue from Part 1] of the WPA transcriptions of White County, Tennessee (County Court) Minute Book, 1824-1827.
1828	White County, TN Tax List: David Hasting and Joseph Hasting appeared on a list of "taxable property and polls in Capt. Stukleys Co. for 1828." The list was taken by Wm Denny, Esq. David was credited with 150 acres, situated on the Caney Fork. Apparently the 100 acres that he had recently acquired in 1827 was not included on this tax list because it was not officially registered until September 24, 1828 (as per Grant # 911). All of his land was categorized as "other lands" (not "school lands"). His total tax for the year was 1.65 3/4. He was again charged as one white poll. Source: Copied from the original document in the White County Court Clerk office in Sparta, TN (not a transcription) ----- Note: A "Blount Hasting" also appeared on this 1828 list in the same militia company as David Hasting and Joseph Hasting and situated on the Caney Fork. His name appears sandwiched right between the names of David and Joseph. This man was a "white poll" but owned no land. His total tax was .62 1/2. Who was he? Was he a new resident in White Co (perhaps a relative who have moved to be near them) or was he a young member of one of the Haston families who had just turned 21 years of age? Was he the Willie B. Haston (son of David) who was born on June 11, 1806? Having been born in 1806, this year of 1828 would have been the first full year in which Willie B. Haston was of the taxable age of 21. See also Willie B. Haston's entry in this timeline.
1829 March 2ï»¿	Thirteenth Child (William Carroll) Born:* The David Haston family Bible record indicates that William Carroll was born on March 2, 1829, and that this was a Monday (which, for March of 1829, would harmonize with the 2nd day of the month). William Carroll married Jane Denny on December 3, 1846. He died on January 11, 1902, in Van Buren County. This son was probably named after the famous William Carroll, an American general in the War of 1812, close friend of Andrew Jackson, and Governor of TN around the time of his birth (TN Governor, 1821-1827 & 1829-1835). David's Justice of the Peace commission had been granted by Governor William Carroll (see October 14, 1822 timeline entry). A brief (two pages) biographical sketch of William Carroll Haston's life was published in 1898. This sketch confirms his birth date as March 2, 1829. Source:* David Haston's Bible records See Howard H. Hasting, Sr.'s material for more information on this son of David and Margaret Haston.
1829 July 27	David Granted 71+ Acres: David acquired a land grant of 71+ acres ("being all that could be got exclusive of older claims") in White County. The land was surveyed on November 7, 1829, and was entered or registered on May 27, 1830. David only paid one cent per acre for this land, due to the December 3, 1825 act of the TN General Assembly that allowed people to secure vacant or unappropriated lands in certain parts of Tennessee. This land was adjacent to Shockley and Denney's land. It included "two small springs above Joseph Brown's." The land appears to have been on the north side of the Cumberland Mountain. Wiley B. Haston and Isham B. Haston assisted the surveyor. Sources: Grant # 1787, pages 504 & 505 of MTN District TN Land Grants, Book C (TSLA microfilm roll 128). Also, the Certificate of Survey # 1787 for David Haston from White County, TN in the Mountain District (available from TSLA). Also, pages 161-162 (or also numbered pages 144-145) of the TN State Supreme Court Case, C.T. Haston, et. al. vs Ella Haston, et. al. (# 21989-90 & MT-1602). A November 21, 1840 deed for 100 acres that I.B. (Isham Bradley) Haston sold to David Walker, indicates that I.B. Haston's land, which was located "on the waters of Cane Creek [i.e. the Cane Creek watershed] on the pass of the mountain," adjoined David Haston's 75 acres. I.B.'s land 100 acres only sold for $25.00, so it must have been cheap mountain land. Source: Page 216 of Van Buren County Deed Book B, TSLA microfilm roll #26. February 15, 1809 - Purchased 50 acres from Joseph Haston (original grant # 550); adjacent to Daniel's land on Big Spring Branch February 15, 1809 - Purchased 50 acres from Joseph Haston (original grant # 550); adjacent to Daniel's land on Big Spring Branch January 16, 1812 - Purchased 50 acres from Charles Mitchell; originally owned by Isham Bradley (grant # 529); adjacent to land purchased earlier Before 1827 - Apparently inherited 50 acres (& the Haston Station "home place") when Daniel died; adjacent to David's previous 100 acres February 5, 1827 - Purchased 100 vacant acres for 1 cent per acre; Isaac Dodson, assignee; "on waters of Caney fork & on Cumberland Mtn." July 27, 1829 - Purchased 71+ vacant acres for 1 cent per acre; adjacent to Shockley & Denney lands; appears to have been on mountain side Maximum acreage in subsequent tax records = 295 acres Note: From the tax records and deeds that we know of, the July 27, 1829, seems to have been the final land acquisition that David Haston made (other than the 1848 purchase of town lots in Spencer). *Some of the 100-acre tract (an improvement where Robert Kimbrel formerly lived) was excluded. Thus, we are not sure what the net acreage was for this acquisition. This probably accounts for 295 acres, in the subsequent tax records, instead of what would have been 321+ acres if all 100 acres of this "100 acres" tract had been included in his acquisition. Note: See also the January 27, 1854 document which clearly describes the five tracts of land that David Haston sold to his youngest son, William Carroll Haston, Sr., for the meager price of $1000.
1829 September 22	Performed Wedding for Louisa Hastings: David Hastings, Esq. performed a wedding for Thomas Taylor Green and Louisa Hastings in White County, TN. This Louisa Hastings was the daughter of Daniel & Chloe Skaggs Haston / Hastings of Adair Co, KY. Was this 'Daniel Haston" of south central Kentucky a younger brother of David Haston of White County, Tennessee? Was Louisa a niece of David Haston, Esquire? More Source: "Family Record" from a very old Bible; appears to have been the family Bible of Thomas Taylor Green (acquired from Jo Ann Massey of Booneville, MS). Daniel Haston, Jr. - Father of Louisa Hastings
1829	White County, TN Tax List: Although there is a generally complete tax list for this year, there seems to be no existing record (in the original book or the microfilm copy of that record) for the militia area where David and Joseph Haston lived. Perhaps it was not reported, but more likely it was lost at some point prior to the microfilming of the records.
1830	Federal Census: David Hastings was on the 1830 Federal Census for White Co, TN. He was in the 50-60 years of age category at that time. There were three males under age five years, one male 10-14 years, two males 15-19 years. There were two females 5-9 years old, one female 10-14, one female 20-29, and one female (presumably Margaret, his wife) in the 40-49 years of age category. Source: 1830 US Census for White Co, TN (page 20).
1831 December 14	Road Commissioner Appointment: By an act of the TN General Assembly, it was "enacted..., that David Hastings be appointed commissioner of the turnpike road owned by Hale, leading from White county to Bledsoe, and have the same fees and perform the same duties required by the commissioners appointed in 1829." Source: Page 143 of Private Acts Passed at the Stated Session of the Nineteenth General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, 1831 (available in the TN State Library & Archives).
1832	White County, TN Tax List: These names appear on a "Tax Property and Polls List" in Captain Parker's Company for 1832: William B. Hastin, Sally (nickname for Sarah) Hastin, Alfred Hastin, and David Hastin. The list was returned by David Hastings, Esquire. David Hastin owned 75 acres of "school land" and 100 acres of "other land." He was assessed 126 3/4 for taxes. David was not charged for any poll tax, probably because of his age. Source: 1832 White County, TN Tax List (no readable page number). Note: Daniel MC Hasting appeared on the White County, TN tax list in Captain Anderson's Company as returned by John Bryan, Esq. He owned 50 acres. His name appeared immediately under the name of his father-in-law, John Green. Thus, Daniel MC Hasting's (Haston) land would probably been in the Lost Creek area of upper Hickory Valley.
1832 July	Unclaimed Mail in Sparta: On this day, David Hastin Esq. had unclaimed mail at the Sparta post office. Source: Volume 3, Number 5 (Saturday, August 5, 1832) of the Sparta Recorder and Law Journal.
1832 October 19	Road Commissioner Appointment Upheld: "Be it enacted, That all laws appointing any other persons than David Hasting and Jonathan Whiteside commissioners on Hale's turnpike road be repealed." Source: Page 88 of Private Acts Passed at the Stated Session of the Nineteenth General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, 1832 (available in the TN State Library & Archives).
1833	White County Tax List: These names appear on a "Tax Property and Polls List" in Captain Simmons' Company for 1833: Isaac Hasting, Alfred Hasting, Sally Hasting, William? Hasting," __?__ Hasting, Isham B. Hasting, Thomas C. Hasting, & David Hasting. David was taxed for 71 acres of school land and 150 acres of "other" land. His property tax was $1.381. He was not charged a poll tax. Note: A ? indicates that the print is faded at that point and the names are unclear. Source: Page 45 of 1833 White County, TN tax list. According to Tennessee Cousins by Worth S. Ray, David Hastings, ESQ. took the listing of "taxable property and polls" for Captain Simmons' Company in 1833. William B. Hasting, Isham B. Hasting, Thomas C. Hasting, and David Hasting were on that list. Note: Attached to the 1833 tax list was a census of "free male inhabitants in the county of White" (TN): A total of 1873 names appeared on this list, including: Isaac Hasting, William Hasting, William B. Hasting, Isham B. Hasting, David Hasting are some of the names of men who lived in Captain Simmons' district. Daniel Haston (son of David Haston) was living in Captain Anderson's militia district (probably in the Lost Creek community). Some of the names are dim, so there may be other Haston/Hasting names on the list.
1834	White County, TN Tax List: These names appear on a "Taxable Property and Poll" list for Captain Simmons' company, which was returned by Jesse Scoggins, Esquire: James A. Haston, William B. Haston, Isham B. Haston, Thomas C. Haston, David Haston, Sally Haston, and Isaac Haston. David Haston owned 75 acres of school land and 150 acres of "other" land. He was taxed 1.54 1/4 dollars.Source: 1834 White County, TN tax list.
1835	White County, TN Tax List: These names appear on a "Taxable Property and Polls" list in Captain Shockley's Company for 1835, which was returned by D. Hasting, Esq.: William B. Hasting, Isham B. Hasting, James A. Hasting, Sarah Hasting, Isaac Hasting, and David Hasting. David owned 144 acres of school land and 150 acres of "other" land. He was taxed 1.83 3/4. Apparently, David had acquired 69 acres of school land since the 1834 tax period. Source: 1835 White County, TN Tax list. Also, Tennessee Cousins by Worth S. Ray.
1835 July 13	Sitting Justice of Peace in County Court: David Hasting, along with Joseph Cummings, Jr., Jesse Scoggan, and several other Justices of the Peace, opened this session of court. Source: Original page 1 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841. Note: On this day in court, Isaac Hasting (son of Joseph Haston) took court action against his mother, Sarah Hasting, in order to force her to produce Joseph's will in court. David was one of the Justices of the Peace who had opened this day of court, however he was not one of the three JPs who signed off at the end of the day's session. Thus, he may or may not have been one of the Justices who heard this case. It appears to have become a standard practice that most, if not all, Justices of the Peace in the county were present to open the first morning of a quarterly court session; then most of them would leave. Source: Original pages 1 & 4 & 6 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841.
1835 July 13	Assigned Road Crew Workers: It was "Ordered by Court that Barnett K. Mitchell be appointed Overseer of the road from Capt. Whites to the mouth of Cane Creek at the ford of Caney Fork, being a road of the second class that D. Hasting Esqr. assign a list of hands to work thereon &c." Source: Original page 1 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841. It was also "Ordered by Court that Isham B. Hasting be appointed Overseer of the road from the forks of the road at or near the mouth of Cane Creek to the top of the Hill at Esquire Hastings being a road of the second class, and keep the same in repair as the law requires that David Hasting Esquire assign a list of hands to work there on..." Source: Original page 2 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841. Note: This tells us that David Haston lived at the "top of the hill" on the road near the mouth of Cane Creek. Also, a January 1, 1838 entry in the White Co Court Minutes (original page 205 of WPA abstracts) indicates the same location for David's house: "...road from the fork of the road near the mouth of Caney fork to the top of the hill at David Haston being a road of the second class..."
1835 July 13	Voting Precinct to be Held at David's House: Spencer Mitchell, Daniel Dale, and Jesse Scoggin were "appointed as Jurors to hold the next General Election for members of Congress of the United States Governor of the State of Tennessee and Members to the General Assembly...at the Precinct at David Hastings..." Source: Original page 3 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841.
1835 July 13	Appointed to Plan a Road: "Ordered by Court that Jesse Scoggin, David Hasting, John White, Sr., Robert Gamble, and Spence Mitchell, freeholders be appointed a Jury of reason to lay off and mark a road from the Sequachee road passing James Simmons's intersecting the road leading to McMinnville being a road of the third class, and report to the next term of this Court." Source: Original page 5 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841.
1835 July 14	Witnessed a Deed: David Haston and Willie B. Haston witnessed a deed on this date for a transaction for 35 acres on the waters of Cane Creek, from Cader Measles to Micajah Walker. The land was in White County, TN at that time, but the deed was apparently not registered until 1851 when the land was in Van Buren County. Source: Page 157 of Van Buren County, TN Deed Book B, TSLA microfilm roll # 26.
1835 October 12	Opened County Court Session as a Justice of the Peace: Twenty three men, including David Hasting, opened this October 1835 session of court with their signatures. Only three JPs appear to have been in court by the end of the day. Source: Original page 22 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841.
1835 October 19	Assigned Road Crew Workers: "Ordered by Court that Charles Denny be appointed Overseer of the road from William Dennys old place, to the top of the Mountain at John Frisbys being a road of the second class, and keep the same in repair as the law requires and that David Hasting and Joseph Cummings Esqr assign a list of hands to work there on" Source: Original page 45 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841.
1835 October 19	Voting Precinct in His Home Discontinued: "For reasons appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, it is ordered that the precinct here to fore established at the home of David Hasting Esqr. be discontinued, and that a precinct for holding elections for Governor etc. be established at Kirklands Store, on the South side of Caney Fork." Source: Original page 46 of the WPA transcriptions of White Co, TN Court Minutes & Court of Pleas and Quarter Session, 1835-1841
1835 October 19	Ordered to Receive List of Taxable Property and Polls: "David Hasting Esqr." was ordered to receive the list of taxable property and polls in "Capt Stockleys Company" for the year 1836. Source: Original page 50 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841.
1832-1836	Index to White Co Tax Book: These names occur in this tax book index: "Hasting, Alfred D., Daniel, David, Isaac, Isham B, James A, Sally, Sarah, Thomas B, Wilin C. William B." Source: Tennessee Cousins by Worth S. Ray.
1836	White County, TN Tax List: At this time, White County reorganized into "Districts." The old militia system of civil organization was dropped. The area where the early Hastons settled was assigned to District 15. These names appear on the 1836 tax list for District 15: David Haston, James A. Haston, Isaac Haston, Willie B. Haston, Isham B. Haston, and David M.C. Haston. David Haston owned 150 acres of "land" which was valued at $1500. He also owned 144 acres of "school land" which was valued at $140. Apparently, the school land was mountain land that was only useful for timber and other non-residential or agricultural purposes. The taxes from "school land" probably were designated for the support of public education. David was charged 57.0 for "state tax" and 2.42 (?) for "county & state tax." Source: 1836 White County, TN tax list.
1836 January 11	Opened County Court Session as a Justice of the Peace: "David Hasting" was one of the JPs who opened this January 1836 court session. Source: Original page 52 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841. Note: This is the last time that David Haston appears in the WPA abstracts of court minutes as a Justice of the Peace in White County. Apparently, his commission expired or he quietly resigned his position. Perhaps the difficulty of crossing the Caney Fork River and traveling to Sparta for court became too much of a burden. It certainly did factor into the creation of Van Buren County, four years later.
1836 August 26	Adopted Child or Grandchild (Katherine Moore Haston) Born: Katherine Moore Haston was born. She was reared by David and Peggy Haston and took on the Haston surname. Who was she? Was she, in some way, related to the man to whom Loucinda L. Haston bore Edward Cyrus Moore? Edward Cyrus Moore also lived with David & Margaret and also took on the Haston surname. The 1800 Warren Co, TN census indicates that Loucinda only bore one child and that child was not living at the time of the census (Edward Cyrus Moore Haston died in 1898). Source: Katherine's date of birth taken from the David Haston family Bible record.
1837	White County, TN Tax List: These names appear in District 15 of the 1837 White County tax list: Isham B. Haston, Willie B. Haston, David M. Haston, Thomas C. Haston, David Haston, and Isaac Haston. David Haston owned 150 acres of land, which was valued at $1000, and was taxed "50" for that land. He also owned 75 acres of "school land," which was valued at .6, and was taxed ".3" for that land. Source: 1837 White County, TN tax list.
1837 July 3	Appointed as an Election Judge: David Haston, Joseph Cummings, Jr., and Spence Mitchell were appointed "Judges in the County of White to hold an Election...in August next for electing Representatives in Congress members of Legislation, &c." Their precinct was in District 15 in White County, TN. Source: Original page 175 of the WPA transcriptions White County, TN Court Minutes & Court of Pleas and Quarter Session, 1835-1841
1837 August 25	Land Deal: David Haston, along with more than 100 other men, entered into some kind of land deal with Thomas B. Eastland involving 5000 acres. It appears that Eastland may have purchased tracts of land from all of these people. Perhaps this was mountain land. This same Thomas B. Eastland made several similar kinds of deals with other groups of people in about this same time. Source: Pages 56-57 of White County, TN Deed Book "L" on microfilm #63.
1838	White County, TN Tax List: These names appear in District 15 of the 1838 White County tax list: David Haston, Thomas C. Haston, Willie B. Haston, Isham B. Haston, David M.C. Haston, and Isaac Haston. David Haston owned 150 acres of land, which was valued at $600, and was taxed "30" for that land. He also owned 75 acres of "school land," which was valued at .6, and was taxed ".3" for that land. The taxable value of David Haston's land decreased from $1500 in 1836, to $1000 in 1837, to $600 in 1838. Source: 1838 White County, TN tax list.
1838 April 2	Appointed to a Jury to Assess Damages for a Road: In this same day of court it had been ordered that a road be built that would pass over part of the land owned by John H. Dale. Mr. Dale objected to the road and requested that he be paid damages for the location of the road. "It is thereupon ordered by the Court that Stephen Wallis, John White, Sr., William Burden, John Austin, John W. Simpson, Pleasant Waller, Jacob Stipe, David Hatson [sic], Robert Love, Spence Mitchell, Jesse Scoggin, and Samuel Parker, freeholders be appointed a Jury to examine the above road as laid off and marked by the Commissioners where it passes through the lands of John H. Dale and thereon to assess the amount of damages (if any) which the said John H. Dale hath sustained in consequinces of the establishment & opening of said road and report thereof at the next term of this Court." Source: Original page 225 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841.
1838 May 7	John H. Dale Road Damage Case Revisited: "Ordered by Court that the order appointing Stephen Wallis, John White, Sr., William Burden, John Austin, John W. Simpson, Pleasant Waller, Jacob Stipe, David Haston, Robert Love, Spence Mitchell, Jesse Scoggins and Samuel Parker freeholders a Jury to examine the road as laid off and marked by Commissioners where it passes through the lands of John H. Dale and thereon assess the amount of Damages (if any) which the said John H. Dale hath sustained in Consequence of the establishment and opening said road be renewed and report thereof to the next term of this Court." Source: Original page 236 of the WPA abstracts of the Minutes of White County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1835-1841. Note: For some reason this jury did not get the job done. On June 4, 1838 (original WPA page 238) a new jury was appointed. From the original jury, only Stephen Wallis was appointed to this new jury. The matter was resolved on August 6 or 4, 1838 (original WPA page 248). John H. Dale was awarded $7.50 in damages.
1838 December 10	Unknown Child (Richmond T. Jones) Born: Richmond T. Jones was born in Van Buren County, TN. It is unknown as to whether he was a child of one of David & Margaret Haston's children or was an orphan from another family that was taken in by David & Margaret Haston. He does appear on the 1850 Van Buren Co, TN census with the Haston surname. Source of birth date: David Haston family Bible record.
1839	White County, TN Tax List: These names appear in District 15 of the 1839 White County tax list: Sarah Haston, Isham B. Haston, David Haston, Thomas C. Haston, David M.C. Haston, Willie B. Haston, and Isaac Haston. David Haston owned 150 acres of land, which was valued at $900, and was taxed "45" for that land. He also owned 75 acres of "school land," which was valued at .6, and was taxed ".3" for that land. The taxable value of David Haston's land increased from $600 in 1838 to $900 in 1839. \| Source: 1839 White County, TN tax list.
1839	Petition for Creation of Van Buren Co, TN: David Haston was one of the signers of the petition to create Van Buren, County. The petition was dated January 25, 1839. Van Buren County was established, from portions of White, Warren and Bledsoe counties, on January 3, 1840. The land that Daniel, David, and Joseph settled was in the southern part of White County and became a part of Van Buren County when the new county was formed. Other signers (on page # 25-1839-8) include: David Mc Haston, W.B. Haston, I.B. Haston, Thomas Haston, & Isaac Haston. Sources: Pages 57 - 58 of The History of Van Buren County, Tennessee: The Early Canebreakers, 1840-1940 by Landon Daryle Medley (1984). Petition # 25-1839 (nine pages) from the TN State Library and Archives.
1840	Federal Census for White County: David Hastin was on the 1840 US Census for White County, TN. He was in the 60-70 age category at that time. There was one female in the 50-60 age category, which would probably have been Margaret/Peggy. There were also three boys in the household, one under five years old, two from 10-15, and one from 15-20. There was a female child under age 5, another from 15-20 years old, and young woman in the 20-30 age category. Source: 1840 US Census for White County, TN

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Our Hiestand/Haston Connection to a Musical Superstar

Bert Kaempfert on a Historic Swiss Hiestand Farm

If you were listening to popular music in the 1960s-1970s, you may not remember his name, but you will remember his music–Bert Kaempfert. Mr. Kaempfert was not one of our Hiestand relatives, but at the height of his success and fame, he was living and composing music on a Swiss farm that our ancestors cleared and claimed 500+ years earlier.

Take a look at this Schönau article (link below) to understand the significance of this Bert Kaempfert story.

On June 19, 2023, our Hiestand-Haston tour group visited a farm on a ridge high above Lake Hütten (Hüttnersee), south of Lake Zürich in Canton Zürich, Switzerland. The farm is known as Hinter Schönau, meaning the rear farm in a remote nook (Schönau) of Canton Zürich. We were warmly greeted by the couple who currently live and farm on the very spot where our Hiestand ancestors lived nearly 600 years ago. In fact, our Hiestand ancestors were connected with the first known (May 15, 1453) mention of the Schönau. Hiestands were likely the ones who cleared the Schönau by controlled burning in the first half of the 1400s. Sometime after the Anabaptist (Mennonite) movement started (1525) and took hold along the southwest shore of Lake Zürich, the rear (Hinter) Schönau became a place of refuge for Anabaptists, including some Hiestands who were living there.

We were surprised when the Schönau farming couple informed us that the famous Bert Kaempfert had owned the farm, lived there from 1969 until he died in 1980, and composed music on that remote farm that overlooks scenic Lake Zürich.

The following material is from an October 2023 article by Adrian Scherrer, a Swiss historian.

In the summer of 1966, Kaempfert moved from Germany to Canton Zug in Switzerland for a more tax-friendly residence. From there he came across a property above Hütten (Canton Zürich) that seemed ideal as a retreat. Next to a farm on Schönau was a weekend and vacation home that had been built in 1961 and was for sale. In 1969, he acquired the entire farm including the vacation home. He had the latter extensively renovated and extended. His primary residence remained in the canton of Zug for tax reasons. But after the conversion, he mainly lived and worked in the house at the rear of Schönau. He leased out the farm. “In the solitude of the mountains was where he had the best ideas.”¹ In reality, however, his house was a spacious property with several guest rooms, a large well-kept garden, and a terrace that offered a fantastic view over the whole of Lake Zürich. To achieve this he had part of the plateau on which the house stood removed. He set himself with his grand piano and a sound studio and prepared his recordings together with Herbert Rehbein. He traveled to Hamburg twice a year to record the new compositions.

Bert Kaempfert created a retreat for himself in Hütten. But he certainly sought contact with the local population. Every now and then he invited guests from the village. And he also liked to entertain in the Hüttner inns. Source: Jahrbuch der Stadt Waedenswil 2023

¹Agency text in numerous newspapers on June 30, 1980.

Bert Kaempfert - The Arranger and Conductor

1923-1980

Bert Kaempfert (born Berthold Heinrich Kämpfert; 16 October 1923 – 21 June 1980) was a German orchestra leader, multi-instrumentalist, music producer, arranger, and composer. He made easy listening and jazz-oriented records and wrote the music for a number of well-known songs, including “Strangers in the Night”, “Danke Schoen” and “Moon Over Naples”.

Kaempfert was born in Hamburg, Germany, where he received his lifelong nickname, Fips, and studied at the local school of music. A multi-instrumentalist, he was hired by Hans Busch to play with his orchestra, before serving as a bandsman in the German Navy during World War II. He later formed his own big band and toured with them, following that by working as an arranger and producer, making many hit records.

In his capacity as a record producer, Kaempfert played a part in the rise of the Beatles. In 1961, he hired the Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on an album called My Bonnie. Sheridan had been performing in Hamburg and needed to recruit a band to play behind him on the proposed tracks. Kaempfert auditioned and signed the Beatles [See below]. -Wikipedia

On the Death of Bert Kaempfert: A Life Full of Music

“Wonderland at Night”, “Strangers In The Night”, “Thank You” and “Spanish Eyes” are just a few titles that have made Kaempfert, who has lived in Zug for 14 years, world-famous. In recent years he has enjoyed great success with his dreamy music, especially in the USA.

Bert Kaempfert music has been an unmistakable, typical trademark for many years. Dominant bass figures, an imperceptible beat, gentle trumpets, a unique mix of strings and voices – that’s how millions know and like him. A man of quiet tones who didn’t need noisy mountains of amplifiers for his concerts. With his music he shaped a style that went around the world. Although he became world-famous through super hits like “Spanish Eyes” and “Strangers In The Night,” he didn’t make many comments about himself and his global successes. For years he lived in seclusion, hidden from the public. “It’s enough if you know my melodies,” said “Fips” – as his friends called him. Only recently has he been able to persuade himself to go on tour and show his audience in front of the television camera.

When Bert Kaempfert composed and arranged (he made at least two long-playing records every year) he retreated to a small chalet on a mountain farm outside Zug. “The best melodies come to me in the solitude of the mountains,” he said. As a native of Hamburg, he often and enjoyed visiting his hometown. Especially since his two married daughters live on the Elbe. By the way, the grandchildren are also highly musical. As soon as Bert Kaempfert gave them trumpets, they played “Strangers In The Night” for him. But he also visited Hamburg often for another reason: many of his old friends live in the Hanseatic city. And there is also the studio where his records were produced.

57-year-old Bert Kaempfert died of heart failure in Malta.

Source: Thuner Tagblatt, Volume 104, Number 150, June 30, 1980.

Listen to Many of His Greatest Hits

Bert Kaempfert - The Music Producer

Signed the Beatles to Their First Contract

And if I may add: I know that the Beatles episode is considered very important in the English-speaking world. His songs for Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole had much more impact.

Adrian Scherrer, Swiss Historian

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Charles Lynn Haston, Sr.

Charles Lynn Haston, Sr.

From a White County, TN Farm to a Leader in Tennessee Higher Education

From a White County, TN farming family to a Vice President of Middle Tennessee State University and other leadership roles in Tennessee higher education, Lynn Haston has lived a very full and productive life. Beginning as a seven-year-old paperboy in East Sparta, TN, he worked a wide variety of common jobs throughout his teen and young adult years, including a couple of stints in Detroit automobile plants. There is so much that could be said about his professional life and experiences! I want to present a few of the highlights from the life of this remarkable Haston cousin.

Charles Lynn Haston's Family Background

Great-Great-Great Grandson of Daniel Haston

Grandparents: Joe Morgan & Willie Rogers Haston

Parents: Charlie V. & Elizabeth Maude Mitchell Haston

Charles Lynn Haston was born on February 3, 1932, in White County, TN. His parents were Charlie V. and Elizabeth Maude Mitchell Haston. I know that Lynn would be quick to add that his mother’s Mitchell family played a major role in his development as a child and young adult.

In an era when higher education was not on many of the minds of young men in White County and Sparta, TN, Lynn was determined to pursue a college education but probably not yet aware of how far he might go up the ladder of higher education.

1st and 2nd Grades – Sparta (TN) City School
3rd through 6th Grades – Elementary School; Detroit, Michigan
7th and 8th Grades – Doyle Elementary School; Doyle, TN
High School – White County High School; Sparta, TN (top ten graduate)
Freshman and Sophomore Years College – Middle Tennessee State University; Murfreesboro, TN
Final Two Years College – George Washington University; Washington, DC – Bachelor of Arts
[Enlisted in the army, stationed at Fort Knox, KY]
Summer term at Tennessee Technological University; Cookeville, TN
Graduate School – Vanderbilt School of Law; Nashville, TN – LL.B (Legum Baccalaureus)
Graduate School – Memphis State University; Memphis, TN – Masters in Business
Graduate School – Memphis State University; Memphis, TN – EdD (Doctor of Education) ABD (all but dissertation)

Lynn's Professional Experiences

Some Highlights of Lynn Haston’s Professional Career

House Document Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. – 1952-54
State Auditor and Legislative Liaison, Comptroller of the Treasurer, State of Tennessee, Nashville, TN – 1956-59
Nashville Bank and Trust, Nashville, TN, Assistant Trust Officer – 1959-64 (Nashville Bank and Trust merged with Third National Bank)
Third National Bank, Nashville, TN, Assistant Trust Officer – 1965
Owensboro National Bank, Owensboro, KY, Assistant Trust Officer – 1965
Memphis State University, Memphis, TN – Administrative Assistant to the President, Legal Counsel, and Assistant Dean of School of Law – 1965-73
State University and Community College System, State Board of Regents, Nashville, TN, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board – 1973-75
Tennessee School of Boards Association, Nashville, TN, Legal Consultant – 1974-79
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, Vice President for Administration – 1975-1980; Associate Professor in MTSU School of Business – 1980-1981

White County, TN Roles, After MTSU Years:
Practiced law in Sparta, TN
City Attorney for Sparta and Spencer, TN
City Judge and Municipal Court Judge of Sparta, TN
White County, TN Election Commission Member and Chairman
Chairman of the Democratic Party for White County, TN
Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce for Sparta and White County, TN
County Commissioner for White County (two years)

Charlie V. and Elizabeth Haston with Kay and Lynn

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After Whom Was White County, TN Really Named?

Is the Information on this Historical Marker correct?

Was John White the First Settler of White County, TN?

And Was White County, TN Named to Honor Him?

The most common tradition is that the county was named for John White, a Revolutionary War veteran from Virginia and an early settler in White County. Monroe Seals, author of History of White County, stated (without indicating a source) that John White “was the first settler of White County and that the County was named for him.”[i] Seals asserted that John White was living in the White County area as early as 1789, which would have been prior to the 1791 Holston Treaty and 14 years before the October 1805 Tellico Treaty that opened White County to white settlements.

[i] Seals, 84.

As far as I know, there has never been any documentation to prove that John White was in pre-White County that early or that the county was named for him. In fact, there is evidence to the contrary. On July 26, 1804 his daughter, Elisabeth White, married John Scoggins in Washington County, Virginia.[i] And there are tax records that show he and his family were in Washington County, Virginia as late as October 1805.[ii]

[i] Marty Hiatt and Craig Roberts Scott, Washington County, Virginia Marriages – Minister Returns, 1776-1855. (Athens, GA: Iberian Publishing Company, 1994), 178, 406.

[ii] Thomas Jack Hockett, Washington County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, Volume 3 (1800-1807, 1809-1810), (Athens, GA: Iberian Publishing Company, 2005), 155.

According to a previous White County historian, Charles Leonard, John White first settled in the northern portion of White County. Then on June 1, 1808 he purchased 592 acres in the lower end of Hickory Valley, only a mile or so north of the Caney Fork River from the Daniel Haston family. It was on his Hickory Valley land that he built a house which is supposedly the “the oldest house in White County.”[i] In 1995 the building was moved to the White County fairgrounds, north of Sparta, and is still standing.

[i] J. Sharon Johnson Doliante, White County Tennessee Oldest Marriage Book, 1809-1859. (Printed by author, 1977), v.

Some of my family members who grew up very close to John White’s homeplace have said there were portholes in the original log structure of John White’s house. If that is true, the house was definitely built very early, even before Indian threats ceased in that area. According to a long standing popular story in White County, while John White was clearing ground for his first crop, two hostile Indians captured his 17-year-old daughter or tried to do so. Thus, if that is true, his fears of Indian threats were well-founded.

Although John White did serve his country as a fifer in the Revolution, his service record apparently was not extraordinary and he does not appear prominently in the early records of the county’s government. The first record of his presence in White County is a signature on the July 22, 1806 petition to create the county, the same petition signed by Daniel and Joseph Haston.

In 1965, one descendant-researcher of John White wrote:

This John White is not known to have been in the area which became White County, much before the date he purchased his land there, on June 1 1808. White County was formed in 1806, and John White did not sell his land in Washington County, Virginia until late in 1805. He was neither a wealthy nor a famous man. He had been a Revolutionary soldier, but merely a private. The only possible reason we can think of, and it’s hardly plausible, might be that John White helped to survey the area* which was to be formed into the new county, and by some twist of fate, someone named it for him; but frankly, we doubt any connection.[i]

*In 1976 (eleven years after making the above statement), based solely on the fact that survey instruments were mentioned in John White’s estate settlement, the author of the above statement hedged her previous assertion. She wrote, “We are now inclined to give some credence to the possibility that the county may indeed have been named for John White, Sr.”[ii]

[i] J. Sharon Johnson Doliante, Genealogical Serendipity, Volume I. (Alexandria, VA: published by author, 1965), 278.

[ii] J. Sharon Johnson Doliante, White County, Tennessee Oldest Marriage Book (1809-1859). (Santa Barbara, CA: published by author, 1977), v

There is no evidence that John White surveyed the boundaries of White County. Being a newcomer in 1805 or 1806 to Tennessee, White County in particular, it is unlikely that he would have been chosen to conduct the survey, at least as a lead surveyor.

The earliest (known) account of the history of White County was published in 1886 by the Goodspeed Company, almost 50 years before the 1935 publication of The History of White County by Reverend Monroe Seals and only 80 years after the county was founded. Although it was only a brief overview covering 15 1/2 (small print) pages, the Goodspeed history does provide a wealth of historical data on the origin, description, and early years of the county and appears to be quite accurate. John White is only mentioned once in this 1886 book and that is only in a list of over 100 other names of earlier settlers in the county. The is no special recognition given to him, particularly any mention of White County having been named after him.

As far as we know now, Monroe Seals was the first person to state in print that the county was named for John White. Rev. Seals grew up in the general area where John White and his family lived. Since Seals does not state any documented proof of his assertion, it is very possible that he was simply influenced by family lore that circulated in and around the John White family.

In All Fairness to Rev. Monroe Seals...

PREFACE

I have drawn from all sources, am indebted to hundreds of people, to records and the original section of the Expositor. I aim to give many things not in print. I introduce witnesses who have gone before for sixty years. It has been a difficult task, tradition as such being unreliable, and the written works not much better. I have written under great difficulties.

I have aimed at an unbiased narrative, giving the truth. I likely have made omissions in this work inadvertently, therefore I invite corrections by the public.

-Rev. Monroe Seals

If Not John White, Then Who Was Honored with the White County Name?

General James White?

In 1902, more than three decades before the Monroe Seals History of White County book was published, a special historical edition of the Sparta Expositor asserted that “J.M. Overton, President and manager of Bon Air Coal, Land, and Lumber Company, is great-grandson of General James White, for whom White County was named.”[i] At the time this 1902 article was written, the author stated that “These are all familiar names to White Countians.” In 1806, when White County was founded, the names General/Judge James White (as well as others mentioned in the article) would have been even much more familiar to White Countians. At that time, James White was still very active in East Tennessee. He was the Speaker of the Tennessee Senate, from 1801-1805, finishing his term only about a year before White County was formed and named. During the Creek War, Brigadier General James White led a military offensive in late 1813 against Creek villages in Alabama. He died in 1821.

[i] White County Heritage Book Committee, 1.

General White was certainly a prominent Tennessee man. He was the founder of White’s Fort and Knoxville, and a key military and civic leader in East Tennessee. Many of the earliest White County settlers would have known him from their sojourns in East Tennessee, including members of Daniel Haston’s family.* He would have been the kind of man for which many other Tennessee counties were named–heroic, famous statewide, and a significant leader in the creation and earliest years of the State. Perhaps J.M. Overton knew something about the naming of White County that time has buried.

*Note: You may recall that this James White was the Justice of the Peace to whom Nathaniel Hays went to initiate the “cow tails” case against David Haston. His “White’s Fort” was located across the Holston River from where Daniel’s family lived.

Hugh Lawson White?

Hugh Lawson White, the son of Knoxville’s General James White has occasionally been mentioned as a possible person for whom the White County, TN was named. After filling in several posts particularly in Tennessee’s judiciary and state legislature since 1801, thereunder as a Tennessee Supreme Court justice, Hugh Lawson White was chosen to succeed former presidential candidate Andrew Jackson in the United States Senate in 1825. In 1836, HL White was a Whig candidate for the office of United States President.

Note: Hugh Lawson White was the prosecuting attorney in the Knox County, TN “timothy lot” case in which Joseph Haston, Daniel’s son, was the successful defendant.

In a 1904 article, Jay Guy Cisco asserted that White County was named in honor of Hugh Lawson White, jurist and statesman, who was born in Iredell County, North Carolina. Among other professions, Cisco was an editor of the Forked Deer Blade newspaper in Jackson, Tennessee. Coral Williams responded to Cisco’s claim regarding Hugh Lawson White and White County in her “Legends and Stories of White County, Tennessee” master’s thesis: “It is improbable that the county was named for Hugh L. White, for he was at that time an obscure young man.”

Hugh Lawson White certainly distinguished himself as a key figure in the early decades of the state, but in 1806 he was 33 years old and most of his impressive career was still ahead of him.

The 1887 Goodspeed History of White County, Tennessee does not mention the name of the man for whom the county was named.

Former White County historian Charles Leonard wrote an article for a July 25, 1992 supplement to The Expositor newspaper in Sparta—“Who Was the Founder of White County?” This article was republished in the January-March 2005 edition of the White County Genealogical-Historical Society’s PastFinder newsletter. Leonard made a strong evidence-based case for the county being named for General James White.

But, In View of the Evidence, What Do You Think?

Who was, most likely, the man for whom White County, TN was named?

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The Haston Family Tree – From Roots to Shoots

The Story of the Daniel Haston Family Visualized

Telling Our Haston Family Story - From Bottom to Top

Our Daniel Haston family story is rather simple.
It can be told in four steps, and clarified with a bit of explanation at each step.

First – Our European roots are in Switzerland. Our original family name was Hiestand. The first known appearance of the name occurred in 1401 in Zürich, Switzerland. In the 1600s, some of our ancestors became Anabaptists (Mennonites) because they believed that people should be old enough to (1) understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and (2) personally receive Him as their Savior before being (3) baptized. Because of their basic evangelical faith these ancestors were severely persecuted and forced to flee Switzerland.

Second – Our Anabaptist (Mennonite) ancestors were invited to settle in and near the village of Ibersheim on the Rhineland of Southwest Germany. In 1704, Henrich Hiestand was born there to one of the Swiss refugee farming families. In 1727, as a young adult, Henrich left Germany and journeyed to Pennsylvania in order to secure land to farm and raise a family. He soon had 226 acres surveyed in what became Lancaster County, got married there, and began to raise a family. But after a few years in Lancaster County, Henrich (our immigrant ancestor) moved to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and purchased 205 acres on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River.

Third – On the beautiful riverfront property in Virginia, his youngest son Daniel was born in about 1750. A Shenandoah County, Virginia marriage record informs us that Daniel married Christina Nave on September 28, 1773.

Fourth – In about 1783, Daniel moved his young family to what is now East Tennessee. While the U.S. Government was negotiating with the Cherokee native Americans for the ownership of land west of the Cumberland Mountain range, Daniel moved to what is now Middle Tennessee and settled as a “squatter” in about 1804 in what became White County a couple of years later.

From there, some of his children and grandchildren spread westward to Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and even farther west. As they moved, some branches of the family adopted changes of the surname, to such iterations as Hastings, Hasting, Hastin, and Hastain. Apparently, they became convinced that their European ancestors were English, thus the changes to names more acceptable to English clerks and their English neighbors.

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The Centuries-Old Mystery of Daniel Haston’s Mother

Clues to the Identity of Daniel Haston's Mother

A Centuries-Old Mystery

The family of Henrich Hiestand has been thoroughly researched for many years, but the identity of his wife has never been conclusively determined. However, if you dig very deeply into Henrich Hiestand family research you will find that there has been no lack of wholly undocumented speculations as to her family name.

What We Know

When Daniel’s father (Henrich/Henry Hiestand) arrived from Germany in Pennsylvania in about 1727, he was single.
By approximately 1733 or so, Henry was married. Barbara, his firstborn child was born in about 1734 in Lancaster County, PA. And Jacob was born a couple or so years later.
Henry’s wife bore at least eight children, five boys and three girls. She may have given birth to others, but these eight we know survived into adulthood.
Land records inform us of the Mennonite families that were living around Henry Hiestand in Hempfield Township of Lancaster County.
There is no marriage record or other reliable document that tells us who Henry Hiestand married.
Consequently, we can not say for certain who was the mother of Daniel Hiestand/Haston and his siblings.
Henry’s wife (Daniel’s mother) died on January 12, 1777, in what was then Shenandoah County, VA, as per a family record in Peter Hiestand’s Bible. Peter, an older brother of Daniel, was born in about 1738 and was approximately 10 or 12 years older than Daniel.

Clues to the Possible Identity of Daniel's Mother

I certainly can NOT say for sure who Henry’s wife / Daniel’s mother was. But I think there is enough evidence to hypothesize who she may have been, at least the identity of her maiden surname.

There is a common Hiestand family tradition that Henry married a Kauffman (Coffman) in about 1732. For example, when introducing Henry Hiestand in his 2002 book, Hiestand of Virginia, David B. Trimble wrote: “…married ____ (Kauffman?) about 1732.” That guess is plausible due to Henry’s proximity to the Coffmans, especially John Coffman, in East Hempfield Township of Lancaster County. And the Hiestand family’s later interactions with and nearness to Kauffmans from the same Kauffman/Coffman family in Virginia may add support to the Hiestand-Coffman marriage theory. If so, Daniel Haston’s mother was a Coffman. But some other family names have been hypothesized.

There is no known-to-me documentation to prove or disprove that theory. The two-volume 1937 set of books on the Kauffman family by Charles Fahs Kauffman does not mention a marriage between Henry Hiestand and a member of the Coffman/Kauffman family.[i] So apparently Charles Fahs Kauffman was not aware of a marriage involving Henry Hiestand and a Coffman woman, even though he did record numerous other connections between Hiestands and Coffmans.

[i] Kauffman, Charles Fahs. A Genealogy and History of the Kauffman-Coffman Families of North America, 1584 to 1937, Parts One and Two; including Brief Outlines of Allied Swiss and Palatine Families Who Were among the Pioneer Settlers in Lancaster and York Counties of Pennsylvania from 1717 On; Viz., Becker, Baer, Correll, Erisman, Fahs, Kuntz, Kneisley, Hershey, Hiestand, Meyers, Musselman, Neff, Martin, Ruby, Snavely, Shenk, Shirk, Sprenkle, Witmer, and Others. (York, PA: printed by the author, 1940).

Due to the limitations of mtDNA (female DNA) to pinpoint ancestral connections, at this time genetic research is not helpful in identifying the family background of Henry’s wife.

Coffman/Kauffman family records suggest that John Coffman was born about 1700 and died in 1755,[i] so he and Henry Hiestand were close to the same age (1704, Henry’s birth year). If Henry married a Hempfield or Manor Township Coffman, she would not have been John Coffman’s daughter, but perhaps a sister or other close relative.

[i] Kauffman, 481.

The Hempfield Township John Coffman of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania was a brother of Martin Kauffman, a Mennonite minister who moved to what is now Page County, Virginia,[i] and lived near the Henry Hiestand family.* In a later chapter, you will see that Henry Hiestand’s family had some significant connections to John Coffman’s minister brother, Martin Kauffman, and Martin’s son and grandson, both also named Martin Kauffman.

*Seven miles down the winding South Fork of the Shenandoah River or about five miles over land northeast from Martin Kauffman to Henry Hiestand.

[i] Ellen Coffman, “The Genetic Genealogy of Some Mennonite and Amish Kauffman-Coffman Families,” Mennonite Family History, XXV, no. 4 (October 206), 203.

Isaac C. Haston – Jesse C. Haston

One early Mennonite tradition may offer a clue to the identity of Henry Hiestand’s wife. The letter “C” was the middle initial for at least two of Daniel Haston’s children, Isaac and Jesse, the only two whose middle initials I am aware of. One prolific 20^th Century Mennonite author and seminary professor, John C. Wenger,[i] wrote:

It should be noted that the bride’s surname was always preserved in the form of the middle name of every child. For example, Jacob Funk married Susanna Fretz and they were the parents of John F. Funk. There was simply no question as to what the middle initial of the children would be; the bride’s surname settled that.[ii]

[i] J. Denny Weaver, “John C. Wenger (1910-1995),” Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online, accessed October 21, 2023, https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Wenger,_John_C._(1910-1995).

[ii] Wenger, 28.

When Daniel’s father, Henry Hiestand, married, he was living among several Coffman families. Think about it.

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Samuel Haston and Mary Lowry – Lost Son of Daniel?

Samuel Haston - A Lost Son of Daniel Haston?

Daniel Haston’s grandson, William Carroll Haston, said his grandfather had 13 children. Whether or not that was accurate, I do not know. Even if it was accurate, how many of those children lived to become adults–old enough to appear in public records? There are nine children of Daniel Haston that we know of, six boys and three girls. I’m constantly looking to discover other children of Daniel who have been hidden from Haston researchers for 200 years, more or less.

At the same time Daniel Haston’s son Jeremiah Haston was living in Gallatin County, Illinois, a Samuel Hasten (also spelled Haston in an Ancestry.com record) secured a marriage license to marry Mary Lowry in that county on May 30, 1829. According to another Ancestry.com record, the marriage occurred on May 31, 1829. But the couple does not appear on the 1830 census for Gallatin County, IL. Was this another son of our Daniel? If so, where did he go and what happened to him?

The Old Testament name “Samuel” fits the naming pattern of Daniel Haston’s sons–David, Joseph, Jesse, Daniel (Jr.), Isaac, and Jeremiah.
Even though we don’t know this Samuel’s age at the time of his marriage, his probable age could certainly fit a son of Daniel Haston.
The fact that Jeremiah Haston was living in the same county at the time of the Samuel Haston – Mary Lowry marriage is a reason to think a brother of Jeremiah may also have been living there.

Samuel's License to Marry Mary

Source: “Illinois Statewide Marriage Index,” Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, https://www.ilsos.gov/isavital/marriageSearch.do

Gallatin County, Illinois on the Ohio River

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2023 Pacific Northwest Haston Reunion

Our First Daniel Haston Family Association Regional Reunion

Portland, Oregon

Our first Daniel Haston Family Association-sponsored regional (mini) reunion was held in Portland, Oregon on Friday evening, September 29, and all day Saturday, September 30. The Friday evening event was very informal, with snacks, coffee, etc. For nearly four hours, the place was buzzing with cousins meeting cousins, many for the first time.

Saturday began with a light breakfast. Wayne then gave a PowerPoint-illustrated overview of the history of the Daniel Haston family, including our European roots and Daniel’s life and family. After lunch, Wayne gave a presentation covering the life of Isaac Hastings (Daniel’s son) and his family. Following a break, Wayne then presented the history of Jeremiah Haston’s (another son of Daniel) life and family.

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Haston-Hiestand Heritage Tour Book

For $10 You Can Virtually Experience Our European Heritage Tour

Hiestand-Haston 2023 Heritage Tour to Switzerland and Rhineland Germany

This is an illustrated journal from the June 14-26, 2023, Heritage Tour led by Lemar and Lois Ann Mast. Join the group of 29 persons as they walked the streets of their ancestors in Germany and Switzerland. Personalized diary entries from tour participants give you insight into their tour and are accompanied by beautiful color photos that were taken during the trip. (32 pages, full-color illustrations. Masthof Press 2023)

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Jeremiah Haston’s Son-in-Law Escaped Hanging but …

The Civil War Divided the Haston Family in Missouri

The August 10, 1861 Battle of Wilson’s Creek was the first major Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River. It was fought just a few miles southwest of Springfield in Greene County, Missouri. Fortunately for Isaac Haston and most of his family, the battle took place about four years after he moved from the Springfield, Missouri area to California. But his brother, Jeremiah Haston, and all of his children, sons-in-law, and grandchildren were still in the Ozark region of Missouri, living only about 35 to 40 miles northeast of the battle.

Apparently, Jeremiah Haston (son of Daniel Haston) was pro-Union. Citizens of Dallas County, MO, where Jeremiah lived, largely aligned with the Union. But there were many Southern sympathizers in Dallas County and surrounding counties, such as Webster County, where Jeremiah’s son, John W. (and wife, Mary C.) Haston and his daughter Hester Ann (wife of George W. Stever) lived. All three of Jeremiah’s sons served in Federal military units. One of his sons-in-law, Martin Rose (husband of Malinda Haston), enlisted in the Confederate Army, the first Missouri unit to officially enter the Confederate Army.

The Battle of Wilson’s Creek crystallized Civil War loyalties in the Missouri Ozarks and resulted in family divisions.

George Wasington Stever, Jr., Part 1

Hester Ann Elvira Haston, daughter of Jeremiah and Esther Riddles Haston, married George Washington Stever, Jr. (born in Madison, Kentucky) on June 1, 1848. George married Elizabeth Hill in Missouri on October 24, 1844, but she died in 1848. At the time of the 1860 census, the George Stever family was living next door to Hester’s brother, John Wesley and Mary C. Haston. They were in Washington Township of Webster County, Missouri.

Jeremiah Haston’s son-in-law, George W. Stever, was involved with some rebel marauders in Webster County, Missouri in December 1861, as well as late August and early September 1861. He was tried for those activities by a Union Army Commission in Springfield, Missouri.

George Stever was tried under Missouri’s General Order 18, proclaimed on May 29, 1862, which stated that rebel guerilla fighters should be executed on the spot. George pleaded “not guilty.” Had he been found guilty, he would have been hanged or shot.

George Wasington Stever, Jr., Part 2

Although the specific dates of George Stever’s trial are not known to me, the summary of the final verdict was issued on December 24, 1862. George’s trial revolved around two questions: Was his participation with rebel marauders forced or voluntary? Had he been loyal to the United States since December 17, 1861, when his protection expired, according to Missouri Governor Gamble’s amnesty proclamation regarding pre-December 17, 1861 transgressions?

George Stever was found not guilty of the specification that he carried away property of Union men. The Commission concluded that he did consort with rebel enemies but it could not be proven that he was a willing participant. However, the “acts imputed to the prisoner were subject to an amnesty from Gov. Gamble which expired on the 17th of December 1861 as by subsequent General Orders.” George was required to give a $1,000 bond and renew his oath of allegiance.

In the trial, his neighbor and sister-in-law, Mary C. Haston (wife of John Wesley Haston, brother of George’s wife) was not favorable to him on the witness stand—she was his most-condemning witness. She probably knew him very well. If Governor Gamble had not proclaimed a pre-December 17, 1861 amnesty, Mary’s testimony would no doubt have resulted in her brother-in-law being hanged or shot. Here are some of her responses under oath:

Question: Do you know whether the prisoner was in the habit of associating with secessionists?
Answer: He was.
Question: What means have you to know that he associated with rebels?
Answer: He brought them to my house.
Question: How many did he bring to your house?
Answer: There were himself and eight others the first time.
Question: Did he come to your house at any other time with rebels?
Answer: He came to my house about two weeks after his first visit with fourteen rebels besides himself.
Question: What did the prisoner [George Stever] do while at your house the first time?
Answer: He did nothing but remained at the gate while the rebels who were with him searched my house.
Question: What did the prisoner do while at your house the second time?
Answer: The prisoner did nothing but remained at the gate with his gun while the rebels with him searched my house, abused me and made threats of violence unless I procured a light.
Question: About what time or times in the year 1861 was the prisoner at your house?
Answer: He was at my house the first time about two weeks after the Wilson Creek Battle.
Question: What time was he at your house the second time.
Answer: About two weeks after the first.
Question: Did the prisoner ever take and carry away any of your property?
Answer: He did not, but the rebels in company with him took and carried away a pair of bullet molds.
Question: What is the prisoner’s general character in the neighborhood as to his being a rebel and having acted with them.
Answer: He has the reputation of being a very busy rebel, pointing out to rebels the property of Union men and keeping rebels at his house.
Question: (Something about how close he lives to Mary Haston’s house.)
Answer: Less than half a mile. [See the 1860 census record on page ?. The Stevers were adjacent neighbors to John Wesley and Mary Haston.]
Question: (Something like – “Are you the two of you friendly?”)
Answer: No, we are not.
Question: How long have you been unfriendly?
Answer: It has been as long as six years since we have been friends.
Question: (Something about her knowing the men who were with the George at her house.)
Answer: I do not know any of those he was with at my house. They told me that they were Southern men.
Question: (not recorded)
Answer: All his neighbors tell me that he is a rebel. His father-in-law, Mr. Hastings [Jeremiah Haston, Sr.] say so and a great many whose names I cannot recollect.

Note: It appears that she may have said or started to say that Mrs. George Stever [Hester Ann Elvira Haston] also said her husband was a rebel (or something to that effect), but she was stopped and it was marked out of the record.

George Washington Stever, Jr., Part 3

Source: https://crhailey.tripod.com/steverhist/gwstjr.html

George’s homestead was about 1/2 mile north of the Stever Cemetery [GPS Coordinates: 37.4646988, -93.0397034], where he was living at the time of his death. He homesteaded 120 acres in 1857, with the grant maturing in 1877. The grant was authorized by Rutherford B. Hayes, President of the United States. In 1852, George purchased forty acres from Emsley Wharton. Sarah Stever Miller, George’s granddaughter tells us that she has the original papers.

On May 28, 1863, George was plowing the farm of his mother south of the cemetery when he was shot and killed by “bushwhackers.” Bushwhackers were people who sided with either the Union or Confederacy but were not in either army. They were a despicable lot to the local residents and known to take advantage of the war to further their own interests. The family thought the shooting was due to the fact that George had hauled some supplies for the Confederate Army for hire.

Left with a large family, the widow, Hester Ann, continued to operate the farm and care for her family. After George’s death, the Union soldiers took all the meat that Hester had for the family table.

The family has passed to the younger generation the names of those suspected of shooting George. When Peter [Stever] and James Madison [Stever] returned to Missouri, after the war, two of the “suspects” left the community. We will not list the names here.

Peter Stever and James Madison Stever were brothers of George Washington Sever, Jr. (all sons of George Washington Sever, Sr.). Our uncle, James Benton Stever, told us of the incident. He could remember it well. He was at that time living with grandmother, Sarah Payton Stever. Someone heard the shot from the gun. Then, shortly the horse came to the house dragging the plow. Some of the family, probably James Madison, went looking for George. When the report of his having been shot was brought to his mother, Sarah, James Benton told of his remembering how she wept and mourned.

The Civil War was a most trying time for the Stever family, as it was for many persons in that area. We find among the old letters this brief note, which gives some insight into the times.

“Jefferson Nimo and a Mr. Franklin was killed at the widow Wolf’s last friday nite. The court house in Marshfield is burnt. The feds done it their selves. Everything in it was burnt except the safe. Hell is aflote here and the devil is stering oar. J.T. have received your letter. Rite now. March 2, 1864.”

George’s son by his first wife, Franklin Stever, served in the Union Army during the Civil War, Co. M., 16th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry, Volunteers. This was the same regiment in which his first cousin, Jeremiah M.C. Haston, served. Franklin was mustered in Nov. 1, 1863 and mustered out, July 1, 1865. Both actions were at Springfield, Missouri.

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1 – David Haston – What We Know of His Pre-Marriage Life

230-Plus Events in the Life of David Haston, Phase 1

David Haston - His Early (Pre-Married) Years
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1777 May 6	Birth Date: David Haston, Daniel Haston's firstborn son, was born during the Revolutionary War. The 1850 census of Van Buren County, TN gives his birth state as Virginia. Dunmore (Shenandoah) County land records indicate the Daniel Haston family, into which David was born, was living near the head of Passage Creek in Powell's Fort Valley (in the Massanutten Mountain between New Market and Luray, VA) during this time. Passage Creek in Powell's Fort Valley Near Where Daniel Haston's Family Lived in 1777 David Haston was probably born somewhere in or near the area of this circle. Google Map Location Read More About Powell's Fort Valley David Haston Bible Recordï»¿
1785 September 28	Margaret Roddy Born: The David Haston Bible record says the future wife of David ("Margrete Roddy") was "Borne [sic] September 28, 1785." The 1850 census record indicates she was born in North Carolina. Her family (Philip and Mary Roddy) was living in Randolph County, NC according to the 1790 census.
1798 April 12	David Convicted for Cutting Cows' Tails: David and Joseph were tried for cutting the tails off of two horned cows belonging to Nathaniel Hays, whose fence was apparently insufficient to contain the cows. David Hasting, Daniel Hasting, and John Miller put up a total of $100 in bond money for David and Joseph. Moses Roddy, Mary Ann Roddy, Eleanor Roddy, Wm. Haslet, Sr., Wm. Haslet, Jr., and Richard Cahell (spelling ?) were called to witness for the State and against David. Daniel, David's father, made some kind of plea to the court. David was found guilty and fined $5.00. Joseph was acquitted. Source: State vs David Haston & Joseph Haston; Knox Co, TN County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions; Docket # 796/65 (1798). More About the "Cow Tails" Incident and Court Case
Although there is no known documentation concerning David Haston's education, there is later evidence that he did receive a decent English language education somewhere and sometime in his growing up years. Also, he may have made some significant contacts with early Tennessee politicians and businessmen while living in the little pioneer village of Knoxville, first while it was the capital of the United States Southwest Territory and later after became the capital of the state of Tennessee.

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2 – David Haston – Early Marriage Life

230-Plus Events in the Life of David Haston, Phase 2

David Haston - Married Life in Knox County, Tennessee
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1800 May 5	Marriage to Peggy (Margaret) Roddy: This marriage took place in Knox County, TN, and Isham (Isam/Isom) Bradley was the bondsman. Isham Bradley married Susana Matkocks (Maddox?) on May 13, 1798, in Blount County, TN, and David Haston was his bondsman. Isham Bradley (of no known kinship to the Hastons) moved his family to White County with the Daniel Haston family, where he lived near them and interacted closely with them for several years before moving to Missouri. David and Peggy named one of their sons, Isham Bradley Haston, after him. Both David's and Isham's names are clearly signed on the marriage certificate. David's bride is named "Peggy Roddy" on the document. The David Haston family Bible record indicates that Peggy ("Margute") was born on September 28, 1785, thus she wasn't quite 15 years old when she married David. The 1850 Federal Census says she was born in North Carolina and was 64 years old at the time of the census. A 1790 census record tells us her (Philip Roddy) family was living in Randolph County, NC at that time. For many years, the family identity of Peggy (Margaret) Roddy was one of the perplexing mysteries of early Haston research. However, we now know that her parents were Philip and Mary McComiskey Roddy. Her maternal grandparents were Daniel and Rebecca McComesky (McComiskey, et. al. spellings) who lived in Baltimore County Maryland. The Philip and Mary Roddy family lived near the Daniel Haston family in Knox County, TN. Source: Knox County, TN Marriage Bonds for 1800 David's Marriage to 14-Year-Old Peggy Roddy More About the McComisky Family
1800 August 16	David Put Up Bond Money For Joseph, His Brother: In the Samuel Cowan vs Joseph Haston ("timothy lot") case, David, Joseph, and Daniel vouched for $2,000 in bond money to assure that Joseph would appear in court as ordered. David and Joseph signed the bond in their own handwriting, but Daniel signed by making his mark. David's signature here was nearly identical to his signature on his marriage certificate of three months earlier. Joseph was acquitted. The case was settled on April 15, 1801. Source: Samuel Cowan vs Joseph Haston; Knox Co, TN Court Case File: Docket # 138511235, April 1800. Bond Money for Josephï»¿
1801 September 1	First Child (Malinda) Born: Malinda married Arthur Mitchell in 1818. She is thought to have died in Warren County, TN but her date of death is unknown. Arthur Mitchell, son of Spencer (Sr.) & Rachel Roberts Mitchell, was born on October 20, 1799, in Person County, NC. He died on April 19, 1874, in Warren County, TN. Arthur & Malinda were parents of nine children. Source: David Haston's Bible Record & Cynthia Butler Mitchell
1802 October 28ï»¿	David Purchased Land in Knox County, TN: David purchased 111 acres from John Armstrong for $300 on this date. The tract of land was located on the east fork of Grassy Creek, northwest of Knoxville, between Beaver Ridge and Black Oak Ridge. Source: Knox County, TN Real Estate Purchase, pages 300 & 301 of Volume C, Volume in the original books; Volume C, Volume 2 of the transcribed version. David's 111 Acres in Knox County, TN
1803	1803 Knox County Tax List: A David Hasston appeared on this list. He owned 111 acres on Grassy (says "Grassey") Creek and his household had one "white poll." He was in Captain Childs (probably should be "Chiles") Company. The list was put together in 1804 Source: Knox County, TN Tax List for 1803
1803 January 11	Knox County, TN Jury Duty: David Hasting served on a jury for these cases: Thomas Humes vs James Watson and Stephen Haynes vs Joseph Ravenhill. Source: Pages 100 & 103 of Records of Knox County, TN Record Book No. 4, 1802-1805 (WPA transcriptions). Original pages 103 & 106.
1804 January 22ï»¿	Second Child (Mary ["Polly"]) Born: Mary (Polly) married William "Black Bill" Lewis (son of William Lewis, Jr.) in 1827. This William Lewis was born about 1805 in Pendleton District SC. They named their first son "David" (b. 1828) and their second daughter "Margaret" (b. 1833). Margaret, the daughter, married William Newel Crain (who was a minister as per the 1880 census) on August 23, 1849, in Van Buren County. Mary is thought to have died before 1862. Sources: David Haston's Bible records (source of Mary's birth date). Descendants of William Lewis" by Mickey Dodson (White County, TN - 1994). Pages 167, 168, & 170 of Pioneer Lewis Families, Volume III, by Michael L. Cook (Cook Publications, 1981). ----- Notes: (1) Mary/Polly was involved in a bastardy case at age 20. See the October 15, 1824 entry in the third section of this timeline series. (2) Remember that "Mary" was the name of Philip Roddy's wife. She (Mary Roddy) was the daughter of Daniel McComiskey, Sr. of Baltimore, MD. We don't know why David and Peggy Haston named their first daughter "Malinda."
1805 February 4	Knox Co, TN Road Work Oversight: It was "Ordered that David Haston be overseer of the public road from the top of the Black Oak Ridge to Low Station, and that hands that formerly wrought under Josiah Armstrong do work thereon." One year later, that position was assigned to John Chiles (see January 20, 1806 entry). Source: Page 53 of Knox County, TN Road Order Book, 1792-1891 (available on microfilm from Knox County, TN Archives in Knoxville).
1806ï»¿	1806 Knox County, TN Tax List: David Haston appeared on this 1806 list as an owner of 111 acres in the Chiles Company. His household was categorized as having 1 "free poll." Source: Page 8 from the 1806-1812 volume of the Knox County, TN Tax List.
1806 January 20ï»¿	Previous Knox County, TN Road Work Assignment: It was "Ordered that John Chiles be overseer of the public road from the top of the Black Oak ridge to Reed's Bridge and that the hands who formerly wrought under David Haston do work thereon." Source: Page 69 of Knox County, TN Road Order Book, 1792-1891 (available on microfilm from Knox County, TN Archives in Knoxville).
1806 June 11	Third Child (Willie B.) Born: This oldest son of David and Peggy married (1) Tamsey Austin before 1825 and (2) Mary Durham on July 13, 1845, in Van Buren County, TN. Some Haston researchers have confused this "Willie B." (David's son) with a grandson of Joseph Haston, who had the same name and died at the October 8, 1862 Battle of Perryville, KY. However, this (David's son) Willie B. Haston's family appears on the 1860 Sebastian County, Arkansas census. He (W.B. Haston) was listed as being 54 years old, a farmer, and born in TN. Mary, also from TN, was 35 years old. Eight children (ages 1 month to 24 years) dependent on Willie B. and Mary were included in the census. It is interesting that two of Willie B.'s and Mary's children were named Margaret (age 7) and David (age 4). Also, "William Haston" (age 35 years old) seems to have lived in the same house, along with his wife Nancy (age 30) and two young sons (ages 7 & 3). According to this census, of the 14 total people living in this house, only 4-year-old David was born in Arkansas. The rest, including the children of William and Nancy, were born in TN. So, Willie B. & Mary would have been in Arkansas (at this time) for at least 4 years and less than 7 years. However, some family records have the four children (of Willie B. and Mary) born between 1851-1860 as having been born in Arkansas. Was his middle name "Blount?" See the notes on this possibility from the 1828 White County militia list and the 1851 Van Buren County court minutes. Note: As per Leslie Liddiard, "William" was William Dillard Haston, the oldest son of Willie B. and Tamsey Austin Haston. He married Nancy Adaline Riddles on January 8, 1852, in Van Buren Co, TN. Source (of Willie B.'s birth date):* David Haston's Bible records; Arkansas information from the 1860 Sebastian Co, AR census. Note: According to a May 7, 1860, Van Buren County court minutes entry, W.B. Cummings became the "guardian of Nancy Haston daughter of W.B. Haston and his former wife Tamsey Haston deceased." Isaac T. Haston (younger brother of this W.B. Haston) served as a bondsman for this transaction. If W.B. Haston and his second wife, Mary Durham Haston, had moved to Sebastian County, Arkansas (as per the 1860 census), why did Nancy remain behind? Why did this transaction not take place prior to the time that W.B. & Mary moved to Arkansas? This was probably the "Nancy" who appeared in the W.B. Hastion [sic] family on the 1850 census (Van Buren County, TN) and who was 10 years old at that time. Thus, she would have been 20 years old at the time that W.B. Cummings became her guardian. It is possible/likely that she chose to remain behind in Tennessee and was allowed to do so due to her age. Source: Pages 398-399 of Van Buren, TN county court minutes for May 7, 1860 (June 1855-December 1860 book). TSLA Microfilm #14 for Van Buren County, TN. Question: What did the "B" in Willie B. Haston's name stand for? Did it stand for "Blount?" Willie Blount (1768-1835), Governor of TN from 1809-1815, was the half-brother of William Blount, who had been the territorial Governor of the Territory South of the Ohio River prior to Tennessee's statehood and was one of Tennessee's earliest senators. In Knox County, the Hastons lived just across the river from Governor William Blount. It's very possible that David Haston and Willie Blount were friends in their Knox County years. See Howard H. Hasting, Sr.'s material for more information on this son of David and Margaret Haston. David Haston Research Report as per Howard H. Hasting, Sr.
1806 July 22	David's Name Not On the Petition to Create White County, TN: David (as later evidence indicates) was the most civic-minded member of Daniel's family, but his name does not appear on the July 22, 1806, petition for the formation of White County, TN. He did not move to middle Tennessee at the same time Daniel and Joseph moved there. As the September 11 entry (below) indicates, David did not sell his Knox Co property until after the date on which the White County, TN petition was signed. Source: Petition for the Formation of White Co, TN, available through the Tennessee State Library and Archives as Legislative Petition # 5-1-1806.
1806 September 11ï»¿	David Sold the Land on Grassy Creek: David sold 111 acres to Ezekiel Baldwin for $490. The deed was witnessed by Isaac Pruett and Isaac Johnson. Presumably, David sold this land in preparation for his move to White County, TN. Source: Knox County, TN Real Estate Sale, page 280 of Volume MV2; deed date, September 11, 1806; filed on December 12, 1807. David's 111 Acres in Knox County, TN
1806 November 11	Jacob Neff (Nave) Estate Settlement: David Haston was paid $1.00 for a role in the estate settlement of Jacob Neff / Knave in Knox County, TN. The WPA transcription says "for crying vendue" but the original document is unclear. According to the 1828 Webster's Dictionary, a vendue was an "auction, a public sale of anything by outcry [emphasis added], to the highest bidder." Thus, David was probably the auctioneer for this estate auction or the person who proclaimed notices about the upcoming auction. David's friend, Isaac Prewet, also was paid for some role. Source: Original page 224 of Knox County, TN Estate Book, Volume 1 (1792-1811). David Haston most likely was related to the deceased Jacob Neff, in some way. Was this Jacob Neff related to Christina Nave who married Daniel Hiestend in Shenandoah County, VA in 1773? Or was he related to Jacob Neff's widow? Abraham Hiestand, son of Daniel Haston's oldest brother Jacob Hiestand, married the widow of Jacob Strickler's Magdalena Moomaw Stricker, who was the mother of Mary Strickler who married Jacob Neff.* Even though David Haston left Virginia when he was a six-year-old boy, doubtless he would have known that he was related to Jacob Neff one way and/or the other through Mary if not through the Neff family.

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Meeting of Haston Cousins in the Pacific Northwest

Meeting Our Cousins in & from the Pacific Northwest

As Well as Others from Around the USA

Contact Carol Haston for information and to register: CarolHaston@gmail.com

Descendants of Daniel Haston spread all throughout the United States. Many of them moved into the Pacific Northwest. As the Family dispersed, unfortunately, branches of Daniel Haston’s Family became disconnected. The Daniel Haston Family Association hopes to reconnect these branches and twigs.

Our original name, going back to at least 1401 in Switzerland, was Hiestand. Daniel’s immediate family adopted “Haston” while they were living in East Tennessee around 1800. But as his offspring moved west, some branches spelled their family names “Hasting,” “Hastings,” “Hastin,” “Hastain,” and etc. Two of Daniel’s sons who settled in Missouri, Jeremiah and Jesse, kept the “Haston” spelling as did David and Joseph back in White County, TN, and Daniel Haston, Jr. in South Central Kentucky.

In recent years, research has uncovered a lot of historical information about the Daniel Haston FAMILY. We now know:

Our European ancestors were from Zürich, Switzerland. They became Anabaptists (Mennonites) and were forced to flee Switzerland and settle on the Rhineland of southwest Germany.
Our immigrant ancestor, Henrich Hiestand, came to America in about 1727. He settled in Lancaster County, PA for about 15 years and then moved to and permanently settled in what is now Page County, VA in about 1743.
Soon after Henrich Hiestand died, Daniel (his youngest son and our ancestor) moved to what is now East Tennessee, formerly the western wilderness of North Carolina.
A couple of years before the Cherokee Indians sold the rights (to the United States) to their portion of Middle Tennessee, Daniel moved his family onto Cherokee land in about 1804–they were squatters (preemptors).
Daniel purchased 150 acres on the Big Spring Branch in what became White County, TN (now Van Buren County, TN) where he lived the remainder of his life. He was one of the petitioners to create White County in 1806.
Daniel died in 1826 and is buried in the Big Fork Cemetery, about a mile from his house.
There were nine now-known and documented children of Daniel Haston: David, Joseph, Daniel, Jr., Isaac, Jesse, Jeremiah, Loucinda (Mitchell), Elizabeth (Roddy), and Catherine (Austin). There were probably a few others that we do not know about.
Only the two oldest sons, David and Joseph, and their sister Catherine remained in Middle Tennessee.

The Formal Program, In Between Times of Getting Acquainted and Some Fun Activities

Presentation 1: An overview of the history of the Daniel Haston Family, from the southeast shore of Lake Zürich in Switzerland to Rhineland Germany, and on to Pennsylvania, Virginia, Western North Carolina, East Tennessee, and eventually, White County, Tennessee…then spreading out all over western USA.

Presentation 2: The story of Isaac Haston and his family, including his War of 1812 service, his life and family in two areas of Tennessee, Greene County, Missouri, and the 1857 ox wagon journey to and remaining life in Sonoma County, California

Presentation 3: The story of how we connected Jeremiah Haston to the Daniel Haston family, as well as his move to and life in Dallas County, Missouri by way of Gallatin County, Illinois, including information on all of his children.

Q & A sessions to discuss any of your questions about Daniel Haston, his family or any of its various branches.

The Story of the Daniel Haston Family book will be available for purchase. $50

The mission of the Daniel Haston Family Association is to reconnect the various branches and twigs of the Daniel Haston Family TREE and to...

Rescue from oblivion the history and stories of our early Hastons and related ancestors.

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Hiestand Kids Discover Marengo Cave

Daniel Haston's GG Grand Niece and Nephew Make Amazing Discovery

Indiana's Most Visited Natural Attraction!

Marengo Cave text from www.marengocave.com/

Marengo, Indiana

The two kids were Hiestands, from the very same family as Daniel Hiestand/Haston–his great-great-grandniece and nephew!

For more of the story about Blanche and Orris’s story of the discovery of the cave, see 1883 on the timeline found in the Marengo Cave website (link below).

12:23 Minutes Video

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Maggie Chandler’s Stories

Maggie Chandler's Stories

Two sets of hearings and trials were planned, one set in the juvenile court for Ida’s daughter Thelma and another hearing and trial in the circuit court for Mrs. Ida Haston. But accusations and defense testimonies were a major part of Thelma’s juvenile case.

Maggie Chandler's Witness Stand Stories

This case started with a story told by Maggie Chandler, as a response to being caught in a lie about having a job with the telephone company. As the case continued, Maggie became the focus of much of the witness stand activity in the trial.

09-24-1917 – hearing over and trial of (four) girls started; 12 men on the jury; one girl [Maggie Chandler], “That statement is true–every word of it” but she later repudiated it and said she had spoken falsely about the entire matter; said the girls had later agreed to say they had lied – because Thelma chose to keep her mother out of prison; names of jurymen; Dan Nee, Warren L. White, and Val Mason = prosecutors; first case is that of Thelma Haston;

09-25-1917 – Maggie Chandler boldly and w/o trace of shame admitted the improper conduct at the Haston home every day for a month before she was caught – testifying against Thelma; admitted that one man with black hair and gold teeth came to see her about every other day but she did not know his name (but Judge and next witness thought she knew the man’s name); the girls joked about the case in the witness room–about being sent to the Girls’ Industrial Home in Chillicothe; Maggie was on the witness stand for about five hours and looked straight into the eyes of the people in the courtroom; said she did not remember crying and asking her to forgive her for lying when she met Ida in the corridors of the courthouse; Attorney Neville who represented Thelma tried to prove that Maggie confess to Judge Johnson that she made the false confession because her parents had accused her of improper conduct and she wanted to throw the blame on someone else; she said her original confessional statement was true even though she later repudiated it; Judge Johnson (as a witness) said he didn’t know that Ida had three other children at the time she was arrested, said he was under the impression that as many as 15 men per day were visiting the girls in the Haston home; Johnson didn’t know that the parents of the Chandler girl had charged he with delinquency before she was questioned and made her confession implicating Mrs. Haston; Johnson said Maggie told him that one woman at the Haston house displayed a large razor;

09-28-1917 – the trial settled into a contest of veracity of the girls implicated; three of the girls have denied Maggie Chandler’s story but Maggie insists it is true, even though she later repudiated it; a boy accused by Maggie was on the witness stand, and said he knew the girl who was on the witness stand but she denied every word of his testimony; he told a story of taking this girl and Maggie home one night after a picture show, which the girl denied, even denied of ever seeing him; Maggie’s mother took the stand and told how Maggie had falsified about working for the phone company and said Maggie was never a bad girl and she had never been whipped by her parents; mother admitted that Maggie had been nervous from the time she started working for phone company; Maggie’s sister (who began the investigation) took the stand after her mother and said that Mrs. Haston had come to her to tell her that Maggie had been coming to her house to eat dinner on the porch; the sister said that Maggie was very nervous and seemed to be carrying a mental burden; Mrs. Chandler said that Thelma had spent one night at their house and seemed like a good girl; three implicated boys were called to the stand and all denied visiting the Haston home;

How does Maggie Chandler's stories affect your opinion of this case and the possible outcome?

The Case Against Mrs. Ida Haston - Guilty or Not Guilty?

Links activated one at a time, August 13 through September 3, 2023

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Witnesses Come to the Defense of Mrs. Ida Haston

Witnesses Come to the Defense of Mrs. Ida Haston

Two sets of hearings and trials were planned, one set in the juvenile court for Ida’s daughter Thelma and another hearing and trial in the circuit court for Mrs. Ida Haston. But accusations against Ida and defense testimonies in her favor were a major part of Thelma’s juvenile case.

Ida's Neighbors and Others Testify of Her Good Character and Deny the Allegations

09-18-1917 – Neighbors defend Ida, none saw or heard anything like she was accused of and paid high tribute to her character and believed she was a victim of a great wrong, said it would have been impossible without their knowledge; Irvin and Ida and family lived on the NW corner of Broad and Orchard Avenues; “Mr. Haston was very particular about how his children conducted themselves”; one neighbor who witnessed on behalf of Ida had lived there three years, which was “much longer than the Haston family had resided in this neighborhood”; Ida – “Without anger or indignation she denied the charges…”

09-22-1917 – Mrs. Haston’s (Preliminary) Hearing is Set for Wednesday; before Judge Thomas R. Gibson, justice of the peace; Attorney J.T. Neville represented Ida; [Acting] Judge Guy D. Kirby tried the cases of the girls in the juvenile court

09-26-1917 – 3rd day of testimony; 24 witnesses attempted to prove the good character of Ida; Maude Gibbons (15-year-old high school freshman) made and signed a statement of confession (“last Friday”); said she, Maggie Chandler, Lula Wresche, and Thelma Haston had repudiated their confessions to protect Thelma’s mother from prison; Maude made the statement in the court house one day and went back the next day to repudiate it; Miss Retha Goodman presented an alibi for Maude that she had not missed a day at work in two weeks; Maude said conversations were always moral and no men other than Thelma’s father were ever in the house; said she lied to avoid being sent to Detention Home or reform school; said she didn’t know why she made the last statement (about fear of reform school?); 24 character witnessed from Orchard Avenue neighborhood, all testified of her good character; Myrtle Needham said her mother told her to stay away from the Haston home and Thelma but had never heard anything bad about Thelma; Policewoman Margaret Hull took girls to doctor for physical examination and that the girls had told her their statements were lies; the State tried to impeach character of witnesses; Miss Hull testified about a previous complaint about Maude’s conduct;

09-25-1917 – Preliminary Hearing of Mrs. Haston Tomorrow; would be held in the criminal courtroom instead of Justice Thomas R. Gibson’s courtroom because of crowds;

09-26-1917 Springfield News-Leader, p. 1 – seven or eight neighbors testify they say nothing wrong at the Haston house; a 14-year-old girl told of frequent visits to play with Thelma and other girls [including Maude Gibbons and Maggie Chandler] at the home (“she won the courtroom by her innocence”) – said she “saw nothing improper, nor did men visit the home while she was here”; said she never saw the black-haired woman whom others mentioned; one of the accused girls said this little girl was a companion with them in their misconduct; she told “what appeared to be a straight-forward story of her visits to the Haston home and denied that her playmates ever hinted that their conduct was not proper; a department store manager of a local store said that one of the accused girls worked for her every day during the week until school started and could not have been at the Hason home during the day; Mrs. Haston took the stand and denied anything improper went on in her house and said the girls’ stories were false from beginning to end; Ida’s husband, R.I. (says “L” but it’s “I” for Irvin) testified that Ida had spent some time in an asylum in Texas and that her mind was affected when she worried; courtroom was crowded and a number were high school students; “Indications are that the Haston girl will be convicted of delinquency for the parents admitted yesterday that she went on a fishing trip against their will. It was said that a married man went with her but they did not know that this was true, they said.”

09-27-1917 – Thelma (age 15) on the stand, says the State threatened to send her to reform school – she denied her previous confession; said Ida refused to let her (with Maggie) go riding with two men in a car; boys who were accused were called to witness stand – they denied the truth of the accusations; Thelma went to the river fishing on Sunday morning; Maude said she fainted four times while talking to officials but later said she lied about fainting; Lula Wresche admitted that during the trials “threats” to get Maggie Chandler had been made in the hall on the 2nd floor of the courthouse;

09-27-1917 – postponement of the preliminary hearing of Ida Haston until next Wednesday morning due to the fact that the preliminary hearing of the girls was not completed.

09-28-1917 – (5th day of trial) Judge Johnson said nothing was done to frighten the girls to make confessions; Nellie Ackridge testified that Ida had remarked about her body and clothes and asked her to come to see her; Nellie had a piece of paper with Mrs. Haston’s name and address on it, written by Ida’s hand; Mrs. Grace Meyers lived in the same house as the (Nellie) Ackridge girl; Mrs. Meyers and John, her husband, were known to have “fits” but Nellie said she didn’t think they were real; Mrs. Meyers was charged with the same alleged offense as Ida; Nellie was a ward of the juvenile court; defense said that the name and address paper was about trying to get work at Armour’s, same place Nellie had worked; Nellie testified that she never knew anything wrong about Ida and thought she was a good woman;

If you were sitting in this courtroom now, what would your thoughts about the case be at this point?

The Case Against Mrs. Ida Haston - Guilty or Not Guilty?

Links activated one at a time, August 13 through September 3, 2023